In Honour Of World Water Day, Call On Canada To Respect The Human Right To Clean, Safe Water

From Fiona McMurran
 
Dear Friends,

We are all concerned about the future  of the world’s water, and particularly about the fate of the millions of  people around the globe who lack access to clean water and sanitation. On the week of this  World Water Day (observed this March 22, there is one action you can take that might make a  difference.

Here’s a message from Canada’s Polaris Institute. If you  agree, then copy my email (below), add your name, and send it to  canada.un@international.gc.ca .

“As you read this, The United  Nations’ historic 2010 recognition of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation  is coming under severe threat from a number of governments at the United  Nations who want to see the recognition disappear. Canada is one of the  countries leading this assault by pushing for the removal of any mention of  the recognition of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation from the United  Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20, Earth Summit)  negotiating text which will frame the discussions at the Rio + 20 conference  in June.

The Independent UN Expert on water and sanitation herself has  stated that the international human rights standard on water and sanitation  agreed at the UN must guide the negotiations at the Rio+20 and the post-2015  development goals. Meanwhile, we hear reports from water activists on the  ground in New York who are participating in this week’s informal discussions  on the negotiating text that a group of countries led by Canada are attempting  to have this language removed.

Please take this quick action by sending  a letter to Canada’s mission at the United Nations demanding that as members  of the United Nations they meet their international obligations to respect,  protect and fulfill the Human Right to Water and Sanitation!”

Make a difference.

Fiona McMurran is a Niagara resident and area representative for the Ottawa-based citizens group Council of Canadians.

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