The Chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office in Geneva when attending the 48th Human Rights Council expressed concern that not everyone has access to water, especially during a health emergency.
(Vatican News Network)“Water is not a commodity, it is a source of life and health and a universal symbol. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that everyone has drinking water and sanitation facilities.” Mr. John Putzer, Chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office in Geneva, said this when he attended the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council Dialogue on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation on September 15. Mr. Putzer’s speech was made after the Special Rapporteur issued a report on human rights issues related to drinking water and sanitation. This report aims to awaken people’s attention to the seriousness of the global water crisis that humanity is facing. The financialization of water resources, climate change and the recent new crown epidemic have exacerbated this crisis.
Mgr Puzer stated that “universal access to drinking water is extremely important for the promotion of human dignity and is always the priority of the Holy See.” He referred to the words of Pope Francis, “Access to safe drinking water is a universal basic human right, because water is a necessary condition for people to survive, so it is also a prerequisite for people to exercise other rights.” Mr. Putzer went on to say, “Our world has a heavy social debt to the poor who cannot access drinking water because they cannot live a life commensurate with their inalienable dignity.”
The representative of the Holy See emphasized that looking at modern times, “despite technological progress”, drinking water resources “not everyone can get.” This “gap” is now further exacerbated by the harmful effects of climate change and the current health crisis of the new crown epidemic, and has widened social and economic inequality.
Mr. Putzer reminded, “In view of the need to reduce the risk of global health emergencies, universal access to drinking water and sanitation facilities is not only a priority, but also “a major responsibility shared by all, so that every one of our brothers and sisters Can enjoy a dignified life”.
Finally, Ms. Puzer wished, “For the benefit of all people, coordinated action is required” to ensure that “all people have access to clean and sufficient water.”
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