Brussels, 08/09/2015 (Agence Europe) “Right2water” was the very first European citizens' initiative (ECI). Last year, it called on the Commission to take action to ensure that water was recognised as a universal human right and not as many had seen it for a number of years, just an empty gesture. It appeared to regain its strength and on Tuesday 8 September in Strasbourg, this strength found an echo at the European Parliament.
By a small majority (363 votes in favour, 96 against, with 261 abstentions), MEPs called on the European Commission to take action following the request by citizens and the hearing organised at the EP in February 2014. According to the latter, the response by the Commission “lacked ambition and did not respond to the concrete demands of the organisers” at the ECI.
The Commission appeared to be satisfied with a simple consultation in view of a possible revision of the legislation on the quality of drinking water (directive 98/83/EEC on the quality of water for human consumption) and in so doing, simply reiterated the commitments already made. The MEPs warned that “if successful and widely supported ECIs (…) are neglected by the Commission, the EU as such will lose credibility in the eyes of citizens”. In an effort to ensure that access to water at affordable prices is a fundamental human right, they expect the Commission to put forward legislative proposals and, if need be, a revision of the “drinking water” directive. Parliament believes that the production, distribution and purification of water and treatment services must remain outside the directive on concessions and when any future revision of this legislation takes place.
Lynn Boylan (GUE/NGL, Ireland) the rapporteur stated that the ownership and management of water related services are important questions to citizens and should not be ignored. The MEP said it was regrettable that the Commission had not presented legislative proposals stipulating that water was a universal right and legal requirement in the whole of the EU and that they should never make a profit out of public utilities such as water.
In an effort to back up their demand, the MEPs point out that: -member states have the duty to guarantee universal access to water, whatever the provider, whilst ensuring that operators provide safe drinking water and improve its purification; -that in regard to the specificity of services relating to water purification (production, distribution and water treatment) it is imperative that these services are excluded from the rules of the internal market and any trade agreement that the EU negotiates or intends to negotiate such as the TTIP or TISA).
Almost 2 million citizens signed this ECI. It should be pointed out that the ECI procedure enables citizens to call on the Commission to introduce legislation in the areas it enjoys competence if a minimum of 1 million signatures have been obtained within at least seven EU countries. (Aminata Niang)