Is Water a Human Right? Fairness/Justice

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Fairness/Justice

Is Water a Human Right?

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

Kantian Aristotelian Utilitarian

Dignity Deserving Happiness

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

Source 1

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

Source 2

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

Source

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.”

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