Human Right - noun
(law) any basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise a government may not interfere (including rights to life and liberty as well as freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law) -- Oxford English Dictionary
Conclusion
Although the Egyptian government are acting with the political and economic interest of their own people, with a utilitarian approach, it could be argued what Egypt is doing in terms of the prevention of Ugandan access to the Nile as a water supply is unjust and therefore a denial of the human rights of the Ugandan people who rely on the Nile as a source of water. It is fair to say that water should be treated as a human right, as it is essential to life, health and human dignity, which, in accordance to the Aristotelian and Kantian perspectives, should be prioritised above wealth and political security.
Perspective A
Document 4 of Resource Booklet
• Water is key to development
• Water is a key social and economic resource for any nation
• The right to water must be protected for equity as well as sustainable development
•
Water is key to improved health, improved nutrition and quality of life.
Perspective B
Ugandan Human Rights Abuse?
• “Can you imagine that Uganda and other countries which harbour the source of all this water cannot command responsibility and authority over the Nile?”
• “We need to come together to do something about this kind of unfairness.”
Perspective A
righttowater.info/why-the-rightto-water-and-sanitation
• “Water and sanitation are essential for life, for health, for dignity, empowerment and prosperity.
• Full recognition of access to water and sanitation as a right gives a real mandate to government officials to promote access to water and sanitation for all.
Perspective B
Egypt/Sudan Agreements
• 1959: Egypt walked away with
70% (55.5 billion cubic metres of water) and Sudan took 30%
(18.5 billion cubic metres) of the Nile water.
• 1929/1959: “No person or persons, companies or government shall build dams without the permission of the
Egyptians”.
Perspective A
http://www.un.org/en/docum ents/udhr/
• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”.
Perspective B
Political Dilemma
• “Anyone in Egypt who would sign the new agreement on the Nile would lose his political base.”