Attempting to Define the Human Right to Water with an Annotated Bibliography & Recommendations for Practitioners

Abstract

This Article investigates research issues related to the right to water, attempts to define and narrow the scope of the human right to water, and suggests research methodologies. Specifically, this Article provides a definition of the human right to water and identifies the difficulties of researching the human right to water. Next, it delineates international principles and other mechanisms that can be useful in protecting individuals and people affected by water issues, including quantity, quality, and access. Then, it selectively reviews current literature and domestic laws that provides some useful starting points for contemporary legal research on the human right to water. This Article concludes by offering recommendations for researchers and practitioners.

Keywords: human right to water, international law, human rights, definition

JEL Classification: K00, K33