For Immediate Release
March 22, 2009
Over Twenty countries challenge Ministerial Declaration of World Water Forum
ISTANBUL, March 22 - Over twenty countries have officially
challenged the Ministerial declaration released today at the World Water
Forum, which defines water as a human need rather than a human right, through
a counter-declaration.
Latin American States have played a key role in gathering signatures onto
a declaration that recognizes access to water and sanitation as a human right
and commits to all necessary action for the progressive implementation of this
right.
The growing list currently includes (in alphabetical order):
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Chad
- Chile
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Niger
- Panama
- Paraguay
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Switzerland has declared its support although a formal signature will
take months to finalize.
In addition, nine countries have also signed onto a statement that calls
on States to develop a global water forum within the framework of the United
Nations based on the principles of democracy, full participation, equity,
transparency and social inclusion.
This list currently includes:
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- Honduras
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Venezuela
The People's Water Forum, a civil society and labour coalition
representing nearly 70 countries, has called for water to be recognized as a
human right and for an end to the World Water Forum.
"This is a victory for all our groups who have been working for over 15
years for water to be recognized as a human right," says Maude Barlow, senior
advisor to the President of the UN General Assembly.
Discussions are ongoing and more countries are expected to sign on to the
counter-declaration.
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For further information:
Juan Carlos Alurralde: 05314038653;
Meera
Karunananthan: meera@canadians.org, (613) 355-2100;
Dylan Penner, Media
Officer, Council of Canadians, Office: (613) 233-4487 ext. 249, mobile: (613)
795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org/
