In Nieuwsuur, the Children’s Ombudsman and the UN Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation called on the Netherlands to stop cutting families with children off from water. After all, access to water is a fundamental children’s right.
“Children need water, not only for hygiene and food. Children also need water to be able to participate socially“, said Children’s Ombudsman Margrite Kalverboer.”[1]
Pedro Arrojo-Agudo is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation. The Special Rapporteur carries out thematic research, undertakes country missions, collects good practices, and works with development practitioners on the implementation of the rights to water and sanitation. [2]
“From the first day I took office at the United Nations, I have insisted that water disconnections be avoided for all families living in poverty. It is necessary for society to guarantee a minimum amount of water by considering it a human right,” Pedro Arrojo-Agudo said.”[3]
The NJCM and Defence for Children started proceedings against the State and drinking water companies Dunea and PWN in 2020. Lawyers from PILP and De Brauw represent the claimants in these proceedings. The claimants ask the court to ban water disconnections for households with children. On 6 April 2022, the District Court of The Hague ruled that it is not necessarily unlawful for families with children to be cut off from drinking water when parents cannot pay the water bill. This ruling has been appealed.
Good to see that our lawsuit and its underlying documents and argument have been able to contribute to the Children’s Ombudsman and the UN rapporteur’s call on the Netherlands. If this call is heeded, this would be a great development for children in the Netherlands.
We are following developments with interest. Read more about the right to water and the proceedings against the State and the drinking water companies here.
[1] Quote taken from https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2465571-kinderombudsman-en-vn-rapporteur-nederland-stop-met-water-afsluiten-bij-gezinnen [2] For more information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, see https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-water-and-sanitation/about-mandate [3] Quote taken from https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2465571-kinderombudsman-en-vn-rapporteur-nederland-stop-met-water-afsluiten-bij-gezinnen
