Press statement | 16.12.2019

After six years a returnee to Travnik granted access to clean water

Ombudspersons of Bosnia and Herzegovina think that it is self-explanatory that water is a public good essential for life and health. In this regard, back in 2010 the United Nations in its Resolution 64/292 recognized the access to clean drinking water and water drainage as an universal human right, reaffirming the fact that water and drainage are key to a healthy life. The resolution calls on the states and international organizations to provide financial resources and assistance in capacity building and technology transfer, with the aim of providing safe, clean and affordable drinking water and drainage for all. Even so, many people still have a problem in exercising this right. Among others, this is the case with the complaint lodged to the Ombudsman Institution by an applicant from Vitovlje, Travnik Municipality.

In order to solve this case, following the conducted investigation, the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 20 July 2017 issued their recommendation no. P-169/17 to the Mayor of Travnik Municipality to take all necessary measures and actions within the scope of its powers, in cooperation with the local public water company, to allow the complainant access to the water supply network and the smooth use of water.

By issuance of this Recommendation exhausted were all legal possibilities in the case at hand, but since the complainant still did not had access to water, in another effort to solve this case, the Institution's lawyers, as instructed by Ombudspersons, on 28 November 2019 had a meeting with the Mayor of Travnik, who promised that the defect of the water supply network would be made good within three days.

As agreed, on 02 December 2019, after six years, the Ombudsman’s complainant got the access to clean water. This is an example of the importance of the issues for which the citizens address the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina seeking its assistance in direct communication with the responsible authorities.

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