Rights Groups Petition European Watchdog To Secure Clean Water In French Caribbean – News18
Rights groups petition European watchdog to secure clean water in French Caribbean News18
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The International Federation for Human Rights Files Complaint to Ensure Access to Drinking Water in Guadeloupe
Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 22, 2024, 00:01 IST
Location: Other, India
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The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said on Thursday it has filed a collective complaint to a European rights body to demand that France urgently ensures access to drinking water in its Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said on Thursday it has filed a collective complaint to a European rights body to demand that France urgently ensures access to drinking water in its Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe.
The island territory has long faced water shortages, which right groups associate to poor infrastructure and contamination from a toxic pesticide that was for decades used on banana plantations across the region.
“France cannot continue to ignore the recurring problems of the Antilles, they have lasted too long,” FIDH’s Western Europe head Elena Crespi said in a statement. “It must recognize that the European Social Charter applies to all its territories.”
Unrest surged during the coronavirus pandemic as residents expressed mistrust in the government’s handling of health crises.
Founded in 1922, FIDH brings together some 188 member groups and is funded by various international bodies and national embassies.
Filing a Complaint for Access to Drinking Water
- FIDH filed the complaint alongside two other rights groups
- The complaint was filed to the European Committee on Social Rights
- The European Committee on Social Rights is an arm of the Council of Europe
- It seeks to uphold social and economic rights
Separately on Thursday, Guadeloupe’s SMGEAG water management and sanitation syndicate said many communes were suffering from water shortages, notably across the south-eastern parts of the island, citing “malicious acts and shortages due to drought.”
Earlier in March, local authorities said they were cancelling over 13 million euros ($14 million) in water bills for some south-western residents, and had scrapped close to 30 million euros in this area since 2020.
Causes of Water Shortages
- Widespread leaks
- Poor sanitation
- Pollution from the chlordecone pesticide
- Chlordecone pesticide was banned in the 1990s due to its toxicity
- Chlordecone pesticide can cause convulsions, nerve degradations, and higher risks of cancer
Guadeloupe and the neighboring French territory of Martinique have among the world’s highest prostate cancer rates, according to a 2022 study funded by Public Health France and the country’s National Cancer Institute, and over twice the mortality rates registered in mainland France.
Recognition of Prostate Cancer as a “Professional Illness”
France in 2021 officially decreed prostate cancer a “professional illness” caused by pesticides such as chlordecone.
($1 = 0.9203 euros)
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
Analysis
The article highlights the issue of water shortages and access to drinking water in Guadeloupe, a Caribbean territory of France. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:
1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article addresses the issue of access to drinking water, which is directly related to SDG 6. The target under this SDG that can be identified is:
- Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
The article mentions water shortages and the need for France to ensure access to drinking water in Guadeloupe. This implies that there is a lack of universal and equitable access to safe drinking water in the territory.
The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is:
- Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
The article mentions the poor infrastructure and contamination from a toxic pesticide as factors contributing to water shortages in Guadeloupe. These factors can be used as indicators to measure the extent of the issue and progress towards achieving universal access to safe drinking water.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article also highlights the health impacts associated with water shortages and contamination. This is connected to SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. The target under this SDG that can be identified is:
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The article mentions the high prostate cancer rates in Guadeloupe and the neighboring French territory of Martinique. This indicates a negative health impact associated with the water issues in the region.
The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is:
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
This indicator can be used to track the mortality rates related to prostate cancer in Guadeloupe and assess progress in reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease. |
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Source: news18.com
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