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A Matter of Survival

Security and protection of water resources and related Religious Precepts
infrastructure can also be provided through the use of specific
technological devices such as warning systems, anti-hijack In addition to the UN system and humanitarian organizations, it
systems, password-controlled gates for water facilities, and is useful to explore religious precepts and laws insofar as they
other security devices. relate to water and water protection. Water is significant in all
major religions, as a symbol of life and peace. Religious laws
This is important for the protection of all water installations, and beliefs may be relevant in the context of water protection,
including water treatment plants. When treatment plants are where they are conceptually compatible with International
attacked, water that could be otherwise used by civilians is left Humanitarian Law. These may appeal to certain groups who
completely unusable. If a wastewater facility is damaged, and consider IHL as an alien construct.
untreated water is left to flow, this has a disastrous impact on
downstream populations. Moreover, when containers holding In Hindu mythology, rivers are sacred. Water is the basis of life
chemicals at treatment plants are destroyed, dangerous toxic and the foundation of the world. It is a symbol of purity, clarity
substances that are lethal for humans, can be released. Since and calmness in Buddhism, which teaches that people must live
chlorine gas and other commonly used chemicals in water in harmony with nature.
treatment can be deadly during an armed conflict, countries
are seeking alternate methods of water treatment, using sodium Islamic law prohibits water poisoning and goes into great
hypochlorite or ultraviolet light. detail on the subject of how to ensure fair and equitable water
distribution within the community. Under Islam, every human
Several countries already use advanced technological features being is entitled to water, which is considered a gift of God.
to protect water infrastructure. It is important to further develop Water should be freely available to all and it is considered a sin
and use water protection technologies and software, which are to withhold surplus water. Islam also emphasizes that everyone,
effective both in peace and violent conflicts. In addition, the not only Muslims, have the right to water.
following steps may be helpful:
In both Judaism and Christianity, water plays an important role
▪ Identification of the most critical assets in water and waste in religious rituals and practices. Pope Francis emphasized that
water systems to be defined as “vital infrastructures,” access to safe drinking water is a basic and universal right. He
▪ GPS positioning of those critical assets, has encouraged the international community to protect water
▪ Strict interdiction to target or occupy those critical points by resources and make water available to all.
the parties in the conflict, It is important to understand the significance of the religious
▪ Strict interdiction to steal, destroy or modify parameters of precepts regarding water and insist on them as an obligation
water quality monitoring devices in those critical points, and to protect water resources in conditions of armed conflict. This
▪ Establishment of and support for online water quality may also be helpful in efforts to bring warring parties to the
monitoring systems for sensitive sites such as hospitals. negotiating table – particularly in situations of intense armed
conflict in which humanitarian ceasefires or water-related
The measures suggested above amount to developing early ceasefires are necessary to protect civilian populations.
warning systems. Currently, regional inter-governmental
organizations have been making efforts to map hot spots and In practice, references to religious precepts will work primarily
identify signals of future threats. Effective early warning systems within religious communities and within states sharing the
would require a list of water-related infrastructure in relevant same religious traditions. This is of particular relevance in
regions, but this raises two complications. First, governments situations where the religious precepts on water are invoked
may find it intrusive for an international or regional organization with the objective to delegitimize threats from groups that
to monitor facilities in their jurisdictions. Second, armed seek legitimacy on the basis of their interpretation of religion,
non-state actors could obtain such lists and use them to identify calculated to attract the support of their followers.
targets, which would defeat the very purpose for which these
lists were created. In order for this approach in identifying and
protecting vital infrastructure to be effective, it is important that Measures within the United Nations
the data gathered and lists prepared are handled with care – Framework
internally and internationally.
From 1992 to 2016, UN Secretaries-General Boutros-Boutros
Efforts to find solutions to these problems require an adequate Ghali, Kofi Annan, and Ban Ki Moon urged the United Nations
level of international cooperation and confidence building. UN Member States to examine linkages between water, peace and
bodies such as the Counterterrorism Committee should study security. However, water issues have remained largely confined
trends in the development of technological means for the to the UN development and environmental agenda.
protection of water infrastructure and stimulate international
cooperation for their effective use. On the other hand, the UN peacekeeping exercise provided
important experience relevant to water and peace. In areas
marked by armed conflict, UN peacekeeping efforts often

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