Right to water: attend the first EP hearing for a Citizens' Initiative

Should access to good-quality water be a basic right? The right to water campaign seeks to secure universal access to clean water and sanitation and opposes the liberalisation of water services. They will be taking part in the Parliament's first official hearing for the European Citizens Initiative, which enables people to ask for new EU legislation. The hearing will take part on 17 February from 15.00 to 18.30 CET. To attend the meeting, register before 13.00 CET on Friday 7 February.

Right to water

The right to water campaign has collected nearly two million signatures in their quest to get all EU countries to provide their people with sufficient and clean drinking water and sanitation. The organisers of the initiative believe that these services should not be subject to internal market rules.

Citizens' Initiative

The Citizens' Initiative was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty and gives EU inhabitants who have the right to vote in European Parliament elections the opportunity to have their say on the EU's agenda. To be considered an initiative must be backed by at least one million EU citizens, from at least seven of the 28 member states within 12 months of the registration date. It must also fall within the Commission's remit.

Hearing

The hearing in the Parliament is organised by the environment committee, together with the petitions, internal market and development committees. The organisers of the initiative will present their objectives to MEPs and Maroš Šefčovič, vice-president of the European Commission. It is still possible to register for the hearing by clicking on the link on the right.

REF. : 20140204STO34708

Updated: ( 04-02-2014 - 16:52)