Review article
https://doi.org/10.17234/SocEkol.34.1.3
From right to law - implementing the right to water as a fundamental human right through water legislation
Sofija Iveković
orcid.org/0009-0008-2126-5063
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health
Damir Andabaka
orcid.org/0000-0003-4933-1524
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health
Ksenija Vitale
orcid.org/0000-0002-9842-8122
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Water is a unique natural resource that is essential for human survival and economic activities. It is therefore necessary to protect it and implement effective legislation. Directive 2020/2184 aims to protect human health from the harmful effects of pollution of water intended for human consumption by ensuring its health and cleanliness, and to improve access to water intended for human consumption. Therefore, this paper discusses the protection of the human right to water at the international and national level and the potential constitutionalization of the same in the Republic of Croatia. It also provides an overview of the changes that Croatia had to make in national legislation due to the adoption of Directive 2020/2184. The constitutionalization of the human right to water ensures its legal protection, promotes justice, protects public health, supports environmental sustainability, harmonizes national and international norms and promotes economic stability. The implementation of Directive 2020/2184 into national legislation is not only a legal obligation for EU Member States, but also an important step towards improving public health, environmental protection, transparency and the sustainable management of water resources.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
330470
URI
Publication date:
29.4.2025.
Visits: 463 *