From privatisation to the human right to water in Latin America: a closer look at Uruguay, Argentina and the plurinational state of Bolivia

Abstract

Following the many failed private-sector management contracts in Latin America, the anti-privatisation campaigns have gradually risen in numbers and shifted their attention towards the Human Right to Water. Even before the UN’s resolution to make water a Human Right in 2010, some countries had already adopted it in their constitution. Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina are just three examples of such countries that implemented the Human Right to Water with different approaches. Nonetheless, these approaches have not yet been able to provide clean water to everybody and high prices, mismanagement and inefficiency are still very common. It is however important to also see the positive outcomes that these countries show. This thesis argues that while the Human Right to Water represents an important step towards guaranteeing safe, affordable and sustainable water for all, it will in itself not be enough to achieve this goal. This thesis first gives some theoretical background on the subject and will then study the different approaches of the three countries Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia with respect to Human Right to Water. An analysis of these case studies aims finally at discussing the implications of this fundamental Human Right.