Brazilian churches oppose the privatization of water (a lá Bolivia)

[Judi Lynn]

Brazilian churches oppose the privatization of water
By Stephen Brown
4 Feb 2009

Churches in Brazil have backed a provision in the newly-passed Bolivian constitution describing water as a "fundamental human right" that may not be controlled by private companies and they say other nations should follow suit.

"We call on all countries in the world to also incorporate in their legislation the right to water as a universal right and a public good," said the National Conference of (Roman Catholic) Bishops of Brazil and the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil.

The church groupings made their call in a joint statement published during the World Social Forum, a global gathering against exploitative globalization that took place in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem and that ended on 1 February 2009.

The statement was drawn up at an Ecumenical Forum on Water in Belem on January 26, the day after the Bolivian electorate approved the new constitution in a referendum with about 60 percent support. The new Bolivian constitution aims to give the country's indigenous majority more power and hands the government tighter control over the natural resources, including water.

More:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/8534