Detroit, battling its bankruptcy debts, has ignited controversy by disconnecting non-payers in an effort to recoup $89 million in overdue bills. Those who are more than $150 or two months in arrears have been cut off amid global publicity. Among the many protests against the decision to cut off an estimated 4500 accounts to date, the UN weighed in with three key experts declaring that 'disconnection of water services because of failure to pay due to lack of means constitutes a violation of the human right to water and other international human rights'. Amnesty International echoed this in its own statement. The UN, in its statement, said that some 30,000 households were expected to be disconnected from their water services over the next few months. It has been widely reported that an estimated half of the city-some 150,000 users-is either unable or unwilling to pay their bills.
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