§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will seek to forbid the destruction or pollution of the supply of drinking water for civilian populations in periods of war or international armed conflict, as part of international humanitarian law. [HL3107]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanInternational humanitarian law already contains provisions on this matter. Under Article 54 of Additional Protocol 1 to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, to which the UK is a party, it is expressly prohibited to attack, destroy or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including drinking water installations and supplies, for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population, or for any other motive.