Church of Sweden collects 20 000 signatures

Swedish Archbishop Anders Wejryd hands over the petition with 20 000 signatures to Cabinet Secretary Frank Belfrage.

On March 19, Swedish Archbishop Anders Wejryd handed over a petition with 20 000 signatures to the government and Cabinet Secretary Frank Belfrage demanding that Sweden clearly confirm water as a human right.

“Access to water is about power, democracy and every human being’s right to a dignified life,” said Swedish Archbishop Anders Wejryd at the meeting. The fact that 20 000 people signed the petition for poor people’s right to water clearly shows the importance of the matter.

The collection of signatures was completed on Palm Sunday. The signatures were collected during a period of six weeks and were a part of the Church of Sweden’s Lent campaign.

The delegation from the Church of Sweden presented its demand that Sweden clearly communicate that water is a human right and that this be included in article 11 in the Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Further, that Sweden should work for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on the right to water. Erik Lysén, policy director at the Church of Sweden was also part of the delegation.

“The right to water campaign gives poor people, especially poor women, the opportunity to organise themselves to demand their right to access to water. However, Sweden and the rest of the world must clearly state their position that water is a human right,” said Erik Lysén.

Cabinet Secretary Frank Belfrage thanked the delegation and assured them that the voice of the church is important for the government’s position in the matter, especially as it has many people’s support. He also expressed hope for a resolution at the Human Rights Council that Sweden and other countries can support.