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Human rights statements about water

Water as human right features in various international declarations and conventions. Here are a few:

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing..."

Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1956) states:
"The states' parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The steps to be taken . . . to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for... the prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases."

Article 24 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989) provides that a child has the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. Among the measures states are to take to secure this right are measures to:
"combat disease and malnutrition through, inter alia, the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking water."

Source: IRC. Oct. 1999, Dr. P. Gleick

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