25 May 2023

PAX, the largest peace organisation in the Netherlands, together with Syrians for Truth and Justice, PÊL- Civil Waves, Humat Dijlah and the Sudd Environment Agency, active in Syria, Iraq and South Sudan respectively, have been documenting for years conflict-related environmental degradation involving water resources and its adverse effects on the health, livelihoods and peaceful coexistence of the local communities depending on them. In this joint submission of input to the thematic report by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation, we elaborate on the complex interrelation between water resources and conflict, based on the experiences in Syria, Iraq and South Sudan. We also outline the key challenges the local communities are facing regarding the use and management of transboundary water resources and provide recommendations for policy efforts to improve protection and management of water ecosystems in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

To read the full report, Input_to_the_Thematic_Report_to_the_78th_session_of_the_UN_General