The European Commission must declare and implement the Human Right to water now!

(EPSU Press release - 17 February 2014) The first ever European Citizens Initiative (ECI) met today Maroš Šefčovič and the European Commission services to discuss the implementation of the demands of the ECI Right2water in the European legislation. After having received 1,680,172 valid statements (with 13 countries having collected the minimum number) the representatives of the citizens committee demanded the European Commission to recognise and implement the right to water and sanitation for all in the EU legislation.

“The message of our ECI is simple. Implement the human right to water, do not liberalise water services in the EU and do more to ensure people across the world have access to clean and safe water”, says Jan Willem Goudriaan, vice-president of the ECI Right2Water.

Also today, the President of the Environment Committee (ENVI) Matthias Groote chairs the event with representatives of the Petitions Committee, the Internal Market Committee and the Development Committee. Over 30 Members of the European Parliament will ask questions.

The message to the European Commission from across the parliamentary spectrum is to listen to the citizens and get on with the job.