International Water Law and the Human Right to Water

Imad Antoine Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Law and Governance at the Section of Governance and Technology for Sustainability, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. He is a Senior Research Associate at gLAWcal – Global Law Initiative for Sustainable Development, Essex, United Kingdom, and a Non-Resident Research Fellow at the Center for Innovation in Gas Research and Utilization (CIGRU) and Institute of Water Security and Science (IWSS), West Virginia University, United States. Dr. Ibrahim is an Independent Expert Member of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

• Introduction; 1. Situating the Debate; 2. Current State of Customary International Groundwater Law; 3. Dissecting the Main Legal Dilemmas; 4. The Legal Classification of Transboundary Aquifers; 5. The Interplay Between International Water Law and Human Rights Agreements; 6. Harmonizing International Water Law while Considering the Human Right to Water and Sanitation; Conclusion

'Groundwater, and especially transboundary aquifers, are fundamental sources of freshwater for billions of people worldwide. Yet, little has been written on how international law for these critical resources intersects with the human right to water and sanitation. This timely book masterfully fills this gaping void in the literature with in-depth analyses and explanations that will be welcomed by legal, policy, and science professionals, as well as students, practitioners, and policy makers, working in these fields.'Gabriel Eckstein, Professor of Law and Director of the Energy, Environmental, and Natural Resource Systems Law Program, Texas A&M University, United States'This book represents truly excellent research. It is intellectually ambitious, highly relevant with potential for significant practical impact, and exhaustive in its execution. The author’s ambition lies in the fact that he seeks to address a range of important, yet difficult legal issues through the narrow lens of international groundwater resources law. Such issues include the complex interrelationship between the established corpus of international water law and the emerging human rights of access to water and sanitation, an area quite under-explored in academic literature. It also, addresses other critical issues, including that of the risk of ‘fragmentation’ and resulting incoherence in international (water) law. The author very ably tackles further difficult issues, including that of the extra-territorial application of human rights obligations. Above all else, however, this book stands out for the depth and intensity of the author’s analysis of the quite particular field of international law relating to transboundary groundwater and aquifers.'Owen McIntyre, Full Professor at the School of Law, University College Cork, Ireland'Groundwater is fundamental for life on earth, it provides more than half of all drinking water worldwide Groundwater plays a fundamental role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, beyond the water goal only. It is also critical to realize the human right to water and sanitation. Most of the available groundwater flows under the territory of two or more States, representing an important shared resource. Ibrahim’s book represents an important and comprehensive contribution to the existing literature on the international law regarding transboundary aquifers. Ibrahim adds a novel approach by searching not only international water law, but also the human right to water and sanitation. The book presents a scrupulous and detailed research and a critical analysis of the legal frameworks at stake. It is highly recommended for all experts have an interest in improving their understanding of the laws relating to transboundary aquifers.'Raya Marina Stephan, Water law expert, Consultant/ Deputy Editor in Chief Water International, International Water Resources Association'The new book addressees a crucial topic for the future of our planet. Focusing on how International Water Law and the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation can be harmonized in the context of transboundary aquifers, this book is a must read for all scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of these two areas of international law. The argument that agreements or arrangements on transboundary aquifers should include provisions on human rights has to be welcomed as an innovative approach that must be considered by States in their negotiations processes.'Mara Tignino, Reader at the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and Lead Legal Specialist of the Platform for International Water Law at the Geneva Water Hub, Geneva, Switzerland'The research and conclusions in this book speak to the importance of multilateralism, international law and international cooperation for the sustainable management of our finite land and water resources, as well as of the imperative to put people, and their rights, front and center of any debate or decision. Its voyage through history to explain concepts and agreements, as well as its clear conclusions on the importance of reconciling International Water Law and the Human Right to Water and Sanitation when addressing challenges related to the access to transboundary waters worldwide, are essential contributions to the global conversations on how to truly transition towards a sustainable future for people and planet.'Miriam Medel Garcia, Chief of Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat'This is a terrific book, a must-read for experts in water law and public international law. An enriching and well-structured volume that develops sounds and interdisciplinary research.'Giuseppe Martinico, Full Professor of Comparative Public law at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy