Cochabamba Declaration


     Here, in this city which has been an inspiration to the world for
     its retaking of that right through civil action, courage and
     sacrifice standing as heroes and heroines against corporate,
     institutional and governmental abuse, and trade agreements which
     destroy that right, in use of our freedom and dignity, we declare
     the following:

     For the right to life, for the respect of nature and the uses and
     traditions of our ancestors and our peoples, for all time the
     following shall be declared as inviolable rights with regard to
     the uses of water given us by the earth:

       1. Water belongs to the earth and all species and is sacred to
          life, therefore, the world's water must be conserved,
          reclaimed and protected for all future generations and its
          natural patterns respected.

       2. Water is a fundamental human right and a public trust to be
          guarded by all levels of government, therefore, it should not
          be commodified, privatized or traded for commercial purposes.
          These rights must be enshrined at all levels of government.
          In particular, an international treaty must ensure these
          principles are noncontrovertable.

       3. Water is best protected by local communities and citizens who
          must be respected as equal partners with governments in the
          protection and regulation of water. Peoples of the earth are
          the only vehicle to promote earth democracy and save water.



     8 December 2000
     Cochabamba, Bolivia







     http://www.ratical.org/co-globalize/CochabambaD.html  (hypertext)
     http://www.ratical.org/co-globalize/CochabambaD.txt   (text only)
     http://www.ratical.org/co-globalize/CochabambaD.pdf  (print-ready)