Today, things began to look up in our fight to save the human right to water and sanitation from being removed from Rio text, and consequently from future implementation – something that we cannot stand by and watch happen here at the negotiations in New York.
In a rare move, Catarina de Albuquerque, the UN Special Rapporteur on Water and Sanitation viewed the situation to be severe enough to directly name two UN Member States: Canada and the UK. In addition, the Special Rapporteur issued a World Water Day press release a day in advance in order positively influence the negotiations in New York. See press release here.
I am pleased to have been involved in the lead up to this effort and to see positive differences as a result.
This release and the previous pressure place on the European Union has had a positive impact, they have backed down! I have been told by the Chair of the EU that they have asked the Secretariat to remove their suggested amendments on the human right to water and sanitation. This is a very positive step forward and they should be commended for remaining committed to their international obligations.
Anil – reporting from the Rio+20 negotiations in New York
