Groups Appeal to UN for 'Humanity' as Detroit Shuts Off Water to Thousands

Published on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 by Common Dreams

Groups Appeal to UN for 'Humanity' as Detroit Shuts Off Water to Thousands

'By denying water service to thousands, Detroit is violating the human right to water.'

- Sarah Lazare, staff writer

As thousands of people in Detroit go without water, and the city moves to cut off services to tens of thousands more, concerned organizations have taken the unusual step of appealing to the United Nations to intervene and protect the "human right to water."

“After decades of policies that put businesses and profits ahead of the public good, the city now has a major crisis on its hands," said Maude Barlow, founder of Blue Planet Project and board chair of Food & Water Watch, in a statement. “By denying water service to thousands, Detroit is violating the human right to water."

The Submission to the Special Rapporteur was released Wednesday by the Detroit People’s Water Board, the Blue Planet Project, the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and Food & Water Watch.

It calls for the "state of Michigan and U.S. government to respect the human right to water and sanitation" and for shut-offs to be halted, services restored, and water to be made accessible and affordable.

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/18-7