The right to water and climate change in Tunisia
D. Hussein Al-Rihili
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Preamble:
The right to water represents one of the most important economic and social human rights. All international covenants and constitutions agree on the universality of this right and its essential role in human life. Therefore, it is not an act of generosity by governments or states to guarantee this right using all available means to uphold the dignity and livelihood of all citizens.
However, this universal right has become increasingly threatened in recent years due to water scarcity, resulting from climate change—especially in most Mediterranean countries. In fact, since March 30, 2023, Tunisian citizens have been living under a system of scheduled water cuts according to a predetermined timetable.
The government also approved a number of restrictive measures on the use of water in service sectors such as car washing, maintenance of green spaces and public parks, and other utilities that directly or indirectly impact the environment and cleanliness of residential areas. The effects of water shortages have also extended to the agricultural sector, as Tunisian authorities have implemented water cut measures in irrigated areas, impacting small farmers cultivating small plots of land to secure the minimum means of livelihood for themselves and their families.
The General National Context of the Water Issue in Tunisia
The universal right to water for citizens is threatened, and thousands of small farmers are losing the ability to cultivate their land due to water scarcity and water cut policies. Meanwhile, state institutions continue to support water-intensive agricultural production intended for export, serving the interests of local and foreign capitals.
The current national circumstances Tunisia is experiencing are not a coincidence, rather the inevitable result of political, economic, social, and legislative policies and choices pursued for more than 60 years. These have always been guided by the conditions, instructions, and visions of loan grantees and financial donors, in addition to the effects of climate change on water resources in all countries.
The Tunisia 2023 National Water Report, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, confirmed that rainfall decreased by about 20% between 2020 and 2023, which impacted the cash flow of dams and had a direct impact on the sustainability of drinking water supply—particularly for residents of 13 governorates.
Moreover, the new and evolving context of water scarcity and the expanding “map of thirst” at the national level is reflected in the Tunisian government’s signing of agreements with several European countries concerning the production and export of green hydrogen. This comes within the broader wave of renewable energy projects, which, however, will come at the expense of Tunisia’s already limited water resources—thus posing a direct threat to the population’s right to water.
