Water Bill Draft Eliminates Mexico's Obligation to Guarantee Minimum Access to Water Roberto Garduno - La Jornada
go to original March 9, 2015

The first steps in committee have been hurdled by ruling party lawmakers in Mexico for final approval of the General Water Law. The legislation would enable private companies to handle water distribution and infrastructure. Critics charge that it is a first step toward privatization of the precious resource. Social organizations are calling for mass demonstrations to oppose the bill. Clayton Conn reports from Mexico City. (teleSUR)

The committees of Water and Hydraulic Resources in the Chamber of Deputies added an addendum in the draft bill that contradicts the Constitution, which means that the General Water Act violates the human right to the vital liquid.

Tuesday, the full Chamber will submit for discussion and subsequent approval the draft legislation that different sectors of society have condemned because it will limit the human use of the liquid and give singular advantages to the system of gas exploitation known as fracking.

The Morena [Movement for National Regeneration] bloc in the Chamber of Deputies states that the draft law under discussion would violate the human right to water, as literally stated in the Constitution, Article Four. Manuel Huerta, Morena Deputy, explained that "the draft bill pushed by the PAN [National Action Party] and the PRI [Party of the Institutional Revolution] cancels this right, which means that the State will no longer guarantee the minimum conditions of a sufficient, healthy and affordable [water] supply."

According to Morena, the proposed law would also violate the World Health Organization (WHO) legislation, which considers that every human being has a right to the daily use of at least 50 liters [13.2 gallons] of water.

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Photo: WSJ.com

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