Dear Editor,
In Uruguay in 2004, citizens voted to enshrine access to water as a basic human right, in their Constitution. Uruguay became the first country in the world to do so. This occurred after the government privatized the distribution of water and private companies raised the price of the commodity, putting it beyond the reach of many. The inclusion of this right in their Constitution was effected by signatures of ten percent of the Electorate, which compelled the electoral authorities to call a referendum.
Obtaining the signatures for the Uruguayans came through an alliance of residents’ associations, trade unions, scientists and environmentalists. They went from door to door and held community meetings in villages and towns. They travelled to remote parts of the country. They were able to establish a commission for the defence of water and life. They argued that water was like air hence a human right and essential to life. These actions cemented their success.
The United Nations General Assembly declared water and sanitation a universal human right six years after the Uruguayan referendum and 30 countries have since had the right to water inserted in their Constitutions. Sanitation as essential to health and life, would be a pertinent item to include in our Constitution. Regular cleaning of the filthy and blocked drains and gutters might be restored to the standards of yesteryear. I, along with others, have to pay for that outside our homes, which should be the responsibility of the public health authorities. The public should also be informed of the times that fumigating exercises are to be conducted.
Guyana had only one referendum, which was in 1978. We need more referendums to have important things set in stone, so that no government law can overturn it. A point of reference could be things related to terms of agreement, such as contracts with our investors.
If only our civil society, Opposition parties, environmentalists, academics, lawyers, to name a few and numerous commissions were more proactive. They are not even resoundingly reactive. It will not be easy for even these groups to effect positive change. The slothfulness in establishing the Constitutional Reform Commission in Guyana, changing the electoral system and the failure of past commissions to provide credible results and remedial action, have created apathy among activists. It can be done with the will to succeed and the beautiful country of Guyana would then be able to bask in the benefits of its God-given resources.
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow
Discussion