By Payton Focht / GICJ

Water scarcity in Iraq continues to worsen, causing mass displacement and conflict over basic resources. The leading cause of the scarcity was attributed to reduced water inflows from neighbouring countries. The effects of climate change also play a significant role in water scarcity due to lower levels of precipitation and the salinisation of soil and water. Under the principles of international law, especially the principle of the equitable use of watercourses states are obligated to consider the impact of their actions on other states regarding their utilization of the water resource and to equitably share the resource with other riparian countries, taking into considering population sizes and the availability of other resources.

The principles also require each state that maintains a share in a resource to provide information to other sharing states regarding the condition of the watercourse and their planned use for it. States are also obliged, in utilising an international watercourse in their territories, to take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other watercourse states and compensate sharing states for any harm caused. 

At present, Turkey’s flow of water into Iraq has been significantly reduced in recent years due to the construction of dams for the use of hydropower in addition to Iran cutting the water flow of some tributaries of the Tigris River. Over the years, Iran has attempted to change the course of many of the vital rivers flowing into Iraq, including the Sirwan River which Iran has tried to drain on multiple occasions. The Iranian regime has also changed the course of rivers by the border areas of Diyala and Khanaqin of Iraq so that they flow into Iran. Iran is also responsible for draining five Iraqi rivers, the Kanjan Jam, the Kalal Badra, the Jankilat, the Karkh and the Khobin, all of which are now completely dry. The reduction of water inflows by neighbouring countries is a direct violation of international law. The measures taken by the states are further affecting the livelihoods of the Iraqi people and jeopardising the agriculture sector in Iraq. The government in Iraq has failed to take substantial action in light of the water shortage even though the National Centre for Water Resouces Management revealed in October 2021 that a plan was developed to tackle the water crisis in light of the upcoming dry season. With the worsening prospects of climate change, water scarcity issues in Iraq are becoming dire and urgent intervention is needed. 

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) urges the Iraqi government to develop a comprehensive plan to address the water scarcity in Iraq. It is imperative that Iraq applies pressure to other riperain states to safeguard the futures of the people of Iraq and to ensure that Iraqis do not become victims of Turkey and Iran’s aggressive uses of the shared water resources.  

 Justice, Human Rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice