The United Nations Human Rights Council failed to recognize water as a fundamental human right and implement it as international law, according to UN observers. The initiative, which was led by Germany and Spain, was an attempt to give millions of people around the world- who are deprived of the one thing that we all take for granted- basic access to water.
Canada, a member and major player on the UN Human Rights Council, helped defeat this three-week-long session discussing the importance of water to those living in affected regions. In fact the Canadian representative at the council, Sarah Geh said: “Canada does not view this resolution as creating a human right to water under international human rights law.”
If Canada ever did have the image of a middle-power country standing up for human rights for all, it is slowly diminishing. Now the pressure should be on Canadian citizens to voice their concerns and tell the UN that even without Canada’s support, water should be guaranteed to all who are in need.
Adam Bemma is a journalist, humanitarian, and media consultant based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Adam Bemma 
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