United Nations Expresses Concerns About Serious Human Rights Violations In Flint

The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has put out a statement ahead of President Obama's visit to Flint, Michigan regarding ongoing human rights violations following the nearly two-year poison water scandal.

It starts by recognizing that water is a human right, regardless of poverty or income:

“The Flint case dramatically illustrates the suffering and difficulties that flow from failing to recognize that water is a human right, from failing to ensure that essential services are provided in a non-discriminatory manner, and from treating those who live in poverty in ways that exacerbate their plight"

It goes on to say what we all know to be true - this would never ever in a million years have happened if the town of Flint was well off or white. Philip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights said:

“Decisions would never have been made in the high-handed and cavalier manner that occurred in Flint if the affected population group was well-off or overwhelmingly white."

Bingo. He went on to say:

“Elected officials would have been much more careful, there would have been a timely response to complaints rather than summary dismissals of concerns, and official accountability would have been insisted upon much sooner.”

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