A Master’s thesis at the College of Law at the University of Karbala discussed “International Protection of the Human Right to Water During Armed Conflict,” submitted by student Zahraa Thaer Abbas.
The study aimed to clarify the legal basis for the right to water and assess the adequacy of the provisions related to it in armed conflicts. It reviewed the protection mechanisms provided by international humanitarian law, emphasizing that this right constitutes a top priority in times of conflict as well as in times of peace.
The study reached several conclusions, most notably that the human right to water is a relatively new right, as it was not explicitly defined until General Comment No. 15 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2002. Furthermore, the human right to water has not been explicitly included in international agreements, but it enjoys implicit recognition linked to fundamental human rights in international humanitarian law. However, this recognition is insufficient to ensure effective protection of this right, especially during armed conflicts.
Division of Media and Government Communication
College of Law – University of Karbala
