Privatization of Water. A Violation of Human Rights?

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Public International Law and Human Rights, grade: 80 von 100 (very good), Ruhr-University of Bochum, course: Criminal Justice, Governance and Police Science, language: English, abstract: Nach der thematischen Einführung befassen sich die Hauptkapitel mit der Ressource Wasser, die Entstehung des Menschenrechts auf Wasser und die Auswirkungen durch die Privatisierung des Wassers. ----------The purpose of this Master's thesis was to examine weather the human right to water is violated or enhanced by water privatization. A special focus is placed on the commercialisation of bottled water as it became an omnipresent beverage around the globe. Whereas for some bottled water represents a luxury live-style commodity, it is a life saving remedy for others, suffering from water scarcity. In this context, the business practices of the multinational enterprises Coca-Cola Company and Nestlé S.A. are examined. This work exclusively uses open sources to obtain a comprehensive view and to analyse the proponents' and opponents' arguments with regard to the respective business practices. After giving an overview of the introduction, the main chapters deal with the resource water, the genesis of the human right to water and the effects of water privatisation. Table of ContentsAbstractList of TablesAcronyms & Abbreviations1. Prologue2. Introduction 2.1. Aim of the Study 2.2. Resent State of Research Literature/Sources 2.3. Research Approach3. Water 3.1. Water - a Basic Need 3.1.1. Where do we have water 3.1.2. Why do we need water 3.1.3. Who uses most water 3.2. Definitions of Water 3.2.1. Safe and drinking water 3.2.2. Bottled water 3.3. Water and Life in Human Dignity 3.3.1. Human dignity 3.3.2. Water as Millennium Development Goal 4. Privatization of Water 4.1. Water as a Commodity 4.2. Development of Bottled Water Market 4.3. Bottled Water 4.3.1. Facts 4.3.2. Critique5. The Human Right to Water 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Water on the International Agenda 5.3. Water - a Human Right 5.3.1. Human Rights in General 5.3.2. The Human Right to Water 5.3.3. The Human Right to Water - Challenges 5.4. The Human Right to Water and Responsibilities 5.4.1. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 5.4.2. Global Corporate Initiatives6. Cases 6.1. Coca-Cola Company 6.1.1. The Company 6.1.2. Coca-Cola Company and Bottled Water 6.1.3. Coca-Cola Company's Bottled Water Business Practices &Human Rights 6.1.4. Case Studies 6.2. Nestlé S.A. 6.2.1. The Company 6.2.2. Nestlé S.A. and Bottled Water 6.2.3. Nestlé S.A.'s Bottled Water Business Practices & HumanRights 6.2.4. Case Studies7. Conclusion