(Forced) Water Resources Privatization - A New Form of Crime against Water (and People) in Terms of Critical Green Criminology

Povzetek

Man's close connection with water derives from the very beginning of human existence, but the view of it has changed throughout history. While free access to water was up to modern times a matter of course, water in the modern world can be seen in two different aspects: as a natural resource that can be accessed by anyone who needs it, or as an economic commodity that has its own financial value and the price set by the economic market. It is this economic aspect of water, in the time when water scarcity is on the rise that increases the motivation of private companies for the purchase of water resources since, regardless of the fact that we are all creatures who are dependent on water, thus providing inexhaustible profits. The latter is very problematic, especially in regards to the violation of the fundamental human right to water - amenities they need for their survival. Due to the lack of regulation (or counties' indifference), water resources in the world are not managed in a way that would allow the sustainable existence of water and access to it by everyone. The authors, on the basis of cases analysis, raise the issue of often forced privatization of water in the usually poor, but with water resources, rich countries, and the water management. They raise the issue of dysfunctional legislation on water protection, which can lead to individual violations or crimes affecting water. These crimes are discussed from the green criminological viewpoint, which draws attention to this growing problem and growing threat to water and people. Finally, the weaknesses and failings of water resources privatization are discussed, which are closely linked to the crimes of the rich and powerful, such as criminal enterprises, and state or local authorities, which are often involved in the exploitation or management of water resources.