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Lead Climate Vulnerable Countries apart from G 77 + China

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 16th November 2011. Today in a seminar title “ CoP 17 Durban : Role of Bangladesh In View of People Interest” speakers urged Bangladesh delegation to lead Climate Vulnerable Countries as a separate negotiation group, freeing themselves from the interest of high emitter developing countries like India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico in fact who are dominating G 77 plus China group. Conference of Parties (CoP) 17 of UNFCCC will be held in Durban during the period of 28th November to 10th December 2011. The seminar has been organized by five climate alliances, namely Bangladesh Proibesh Andolan (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNetCCBD), Climate Change and Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change Bangladesh (NCCB). The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury EquityBD, welcome addressed given by Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB, key note presentation was given by Sayed Aminul Haque of EquityBD, other major speakers of the seminar was Lt General (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu of BNP, Sohrab Ali Sana MP and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee, Dr. Abdul Matin of BAPA, Golam Rabbani of CCDF, and Progoti Chakma and Mrinal Kanti Tripura of BIPNetCCBD, Tahmina Ali from Article 19, Mohammed Masum of Coastal Development Partnership, Hasan Mehedi of HumanityWatch and Prodip K Roy of On Line Knowledge Society.

In key note paper and also speakers urged for government strong position on following points in negotiation, (i) Leading to establish the Climate Vulnerable Countries (CVF) as separate negotiation group in view of Dhaka Declaration of CVF forum, (ii) demanding allocation of more than 50 % allocation in Green Climate Fund (GCF) for adaptation, while developed countries pressing higher allocation for mitigation, mitigation should be the priority in developed counties (iii) demanding predictable climate financing, and firm commitment for the period of 2012 to 2020 from developed countries, (iv) Saying no to debt burden and double counting in climate financing, (v) all climate financing must be from public finance and must be out of control from international financial institution like World Bank and Asian Development Bank, (vi) demanding 2nd commitment period of Kyoto Protocol or any sort of legal binding agreement, (vii) demanding limit of global temperature of 1.5 point Celsius by 2015, which should be the pick of global temperature raise, delegation should oppose developed country demand of 2 point Celsius raise, which is against scientific prediction. (viii) delegation should also demand no implication of intellectual property right regime in respect of technology transfer for least developed countries, (ix) demand of concrete UN protocol for Climate induced migrants in view of the CVF declaration, (x) government must raise voice to get compensation in using the clause of loss and damage and (xi) there should be a UN Adaptation Center in Bangladesh.

Speakers also urged that there should be a government initiative on comprehensive need assessment and study to strengthen demand and recognition in respect of climate migrant issue, it is also urged that government has to set good examples and images in country or home in respect of climate finance if she want good attention from abroad in this regard.

Press Release [Bangla press] [English Press]

CVF Urged as Independent Negotiation Group in UNFCCC

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 11th November 2011. Today in a press conference five rights group alliances on the eve of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), the CVF comprise most vulnerable countries having its third conference in the capital during 13th and 14th November, also be attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, urged that the CVF should emerge as independent negotiation group in UNFCCC, freeing themselves from the interest of G-77 +China. The rights group comprises networks of Bangladesh Indigenous People Network on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNet), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change Bangladesh (NCCB). The press conference was moderated by Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL, a written statement of the group read out by Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CSRL, others speakers of the press conference were Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, Mizanur Rahamn Bijoy of NCCB and Sudipta Chakma of BIPNet. The expectations was also supported by 350.org.

The group declared series campaign both in Dhaka and country wide in this relation, there is a post card campaign, a youth rally on 12th Nov., and a human chain in Dhaka and all the coastal districts on 13th for drawing attention of the CVF and also of the UN Secretary General.

In the written statement the group place five major demand which are (i) as G-77 plus China grouping in UNFCCC have not been succeeded to reflect the demand of most vulnerable countries (MVCs) in climate change so the CVF should emerge as independent negotiation group in UNFCCC to reflect demand of the 52 climate vulnerable countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. (ii) they must raise voice that the high emitters developing countries like Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa should also come under legal binding for mitigation in respect of 2nd commitment period is there is such an agreement in CoP 17 Durban, (iii) CVF must raise the voice to keep the world temperature within 1.5 degree Celsius, and 350 ppm (parts per millions), while developed countries is demanding it to keep in 2 degree Celsius. CVF must give emphasize that 2015 should be the last and peak of year of temperature and emissions, (iv) CVF should demand as our Prime Minister always demanding in different international forum, that there must be a new UN protocol for climate induced migrants to facilitate their resettlement, rehabilitation and re integration, and (v) CVF must be in one voice to demand all climate finance from developed countries should be from public finance and additional to already committed development assistance of 0.7 % of GNI. New levy should be imposed on international aviation and shipping for mobilization climate finance.

Please Download Related Paper [Bangla_Press] [English_Press] [Bangla statement ] [English statement]

Make South Asia Visa Free for Poverty Eradication

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 3rd November 2011. Today eighteen right groups organization and network under the banner of People’s SAARC organized a human chain and rally in front of national press club to place their demands on the eve of SAARC Maldives summit to be held during 9th and 10th Nov, they criticize SAARC as mere talk shop, so far have been hardly able to deliver for poor people in the region, they demand a visa free South Asia as a need to make the region poverty free.

The group comprise of organizations and network namely, BKF, BDPC, BNPS, BTUC, CDP, CSRL, DCI, EquityBD, IED, Kishani Shoba, LDC Watch, INCIDIN Bangladesh, Nobodhara, OKS, SAAPE, SANGAT, SUPRO and VOICE. The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD, main speakers of the rally were Rokeya Kabir of BNPS, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from EquityBD, Monju Rani Pramanik of SUPRO, Fakrul Ferdous from DCI, Subal Das of Bhumihin Somitee, and Zaid Iqbal from Krishok Federation.

In a statement distributed by the group placed major eight demands, which have been also reiterated by the speakers in this regard, these are (i) make SAARC Food Bank immediate operational, enhancing it stocks up to 1 million tons, and also to initiate SAARC Seed Bank to defy corporate control on seeds in the region, (ii) initiate cooperation in agriculture especially to prepare Agriculture Perspective Plan 2020 as it was declared in Colombo summit, (iii) Initiate basin wise river and water management plan for water sharing as to respect rights of citizens of all the countries, a particular country should not take advantage due to its existence, (iv) to make SAFTA effective ensure duty free and quota free access of the products of SAARC’s least developed countries to other SAARC countries, (v) initiate an integrated and coordinated climate action plan in view of Thimpu Declaration with a must consideration for climate induced migrant’s resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration, (vi) to reduce investment in militarization and to invest more on education and health , (vii) to initiate culture of mutual understanding and tolerance in defying the culture of hatred and petty nationalism, they demand there should be a People Union of South Asia, and finally (viii) they urged that visa free South Asia is the only way to reduce poverty and to pave the way for a single union.

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Assessment and Action Plan on Climate Migrant is Essential for Demand in International Level

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 1st November 2011. Today in a seminar title “Climate Induce Migrants: A Political and Development Challenge” held at national press club speakers mentioned that a comprehensive assessment and action plan on climate migrant is essential to establish demand on this issue at international level. The seminar was organized country’s five largest right groups’ civil society networks, namely BAPA, CSRL, EquityBD, NCCB, SUPRO, and VOICE. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Forest and Environment (MoEF) , the seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury EquityBD, paper presented by Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB, two field level case study was presented by Hasan Mehedi Humanity Watch and Mamun or Rashid CODEC, among others speakers of the seminar were, KM Jahangir ex Minister, GiasUddin Ahmed, Member of Parliamentary and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on MoEF, Ziaul Haque Mukta CSRL, Golam Rabbani BCAS, Ahmed Swapan VOICE, and Abu Ala Mahmudul Hasan SUPRO.

Related Paper [PositionPaper] [1_Climate Migration] [2_CC Migration Present]

Civil Society Demanded Independent Climate Commission

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 22nd October 2011. Today in a national consultation, different right group networks, demanded Independent Climate Commission directly under President to manage climate finance and action plan implementation. Coastal Development Partnership, EquityBD, IBON Foundation, People Movement on Climate Change, Reality of Aid and VOICE has organized the national consultation title “ Democratic Ownership and Social Accountability in Climate Finance” held at National Press Club. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Chief Moderator, EquityBD and Ahmed Swapan from VOICE have jointly presided over the consultation. Mohsin Ali from Governance Coalition, Badurl Alam from Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Maria Thresa Lauren from Reality of Aid Network, Farah Kabir from Action Aid Bangladesh, Gareth Price Jones from Oxfam, Mahbub Hasan from Coastal Development Partnership, and the two Member of Parliament and also the member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment and Forest, Sohrab Ali Sana and MS Jabber also spoke on the consultation. Dr. Sohel Iqbal has presented the key note paper which was in fact a consensus of different rights groups through a two day workshop.

Dr. Sohel Iqbal in his key note paper mentioned that, although government initiatives and relevant Minister role in preparing climate action plan and in international negotiation is appreciable, but there are concern on non transparent, favoritism and oligarchic management and disbursement of climate trust fund, World Bank role in managing Resilience fund is also non transparent. He said, government themselves falling in the corruption trap, so that World Bank like institutions will be able to get reasons to strengthen their argument to manage the climate fund. He urged media, civil society and non government organizations to come up in promoting citizen monitoring in all climate projects. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from EquityBD, in his introductory speech mentioned that in fact due to full “government ownership” nature of two climate fund management has arisen this situation which is mostly un desirable to any one. He proposed that it has to be “democratic ownership” “autonomous” and in “Supra Level” it means it will have authority to coordinate all ministries and there must be representation of opposition party, media, climate victims, critical civil society and local government representatives.

Great Price Jones of Oxfam mentioned that, the government should not take any loan in the name of climate adaptation; he also reiterated that Oxfam will help the government in international level negotiation. Farah Kabir from Action Aid Bangladesh has mentioned that, economy of the developed countries are in crisis, so we should not expect much more from them, we have to give emphasize and create examples in our own resource mobilization and utilization. She urged government to think on forming of independent national commission to manage climate fund and planning. Maria Theresa Lauren from Reality of Aid, mentioned examples from Philippine, where government has set a Climate Commission directly under President and also preparing legislation title People Survival Fund to do national resource mobilization and effective utilization.

Mohsin Ali from Governance Coalition mentioned that, climate change is a matter of national survival, so it should be the matter of state, not should be the matter of government only. He demanded in all the climate finance management, there should be the representation of local governments. The two Member of Parliament, Soharb Ali Sana and MA Jabber express concerned about the climate fund management; they also supported the idea of independent commission.

Please Download Press Release [Bangla_press] [English_press]

CSOs urged to Equal Rights over Land and Inheritance for Women

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equitybd
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Constitution-1972 of Bangladesh, women’s rights are protected under the broad and universal principles of equality and participation. Today (15 October 2011), speakers in a seminar at CIRDAP Auditorium demanded the enactment of article 2 and 16.1 of CEDAW and proper implementation of that commitment of the constitution to ensure Equal Rights over Land and Inheritance for Women. The seminar has been organized by the National Committee on International Rural Women Day to celebrate ‘International Rural Women Day (IRWD)’. Seminar was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akand, Secretary of the national Committee while Shaheen Monowara Haque, the member of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of communication attended as chief guest and Member of Parliament Rashida Begum Hira attended as the special guest. Dr. Sohel Iqbal of COAST placed the welcome note.

Mujibul Haque Munir delivered the key note of the seminar. He mentioned that according to the Agriculture Extension Department women own 32% of privately owned agriculture land in Bangladesh. But such huge contribution of women to the agriculture is always ignored. It happens due to lack of proper policy of women rights on land and inheritance. He also stated our constitution always emphasizes on equal rights and justice But the in respect of implementing women rights it is far from reality. IRWD has been observing by civil society members and NGOs with their internal fund and self commitment.

Shamima Nasrin of Swadin Bangla Garments Federation said, women movement has become more Dhaka centric, to achieve rights of rural women the movement should be extended to the rural areas of Bangladesh. Jibanondo Joyanta of Shurrakkha and Agragoti Foundation said that, may be our government do not hold enough courage to implement the Women Development policy.

In her speech the special guest, Rashida Begum Hira, termed the current national women development policy as a hotchpotch. She said, from that policy government’s perception or intention in regard of equal rights over inheritance is not clear. She gave importance on implementation of law and policy instead of just enacting law.

Shaheen Monowara Haque said, women rights can not be achieved only by women efforts. Man should come forward. According to the last population census women are more in umber than male, among that women a large portion are from rural areas. So, real development can not be possible without the development of those large rural women. She mentioned that, women empowerment is must for development and ownership of land and proper and equal rights over land and inheritance is a must for women empowerment.

Among others, Mahmuda Doli of Amar Desh, S M Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Kridshak Federation, Shipra Rani of Krishani Sova, Mahbub Hpssain of CDP, Siddikur Rahkman of Jai Jai Din, Advocate Salah Uddin, Advocate Polash Kumar Rai and Jayed Iqbal Khan also spoke at the seminar. The seminar was ended with cncuding remarks from writer Hosne Ara.

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All Climate Fund in a Single Autonomous Board is the best response to keep World Bank out of Climate Finance

By
equitybd
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Dhaka, 9th October 2011. Today eighteen civil society rights group leaded by EquityBD formed a human chain and rally in front of national press club and demanded that the government must aware of conspiracy and corruption trap, and they urged to reconsider all climate fund to form a single autonomous board as also to make World Bank out of climate finance. They group have also urged, this as the right solution while government is already in a lot of public question in respect of transparency in climate fund disbursement. The group consists APON, ASOW, CSRL, On Line Knowledge Society, EquityBD, Lead Trust, NCCB, BUP, Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Jatiya Sramik Jote, SIRAC Bangladesh, Humanity Watch, DCI, PRAN, SDO, SUPRO, and VOICE. The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD; other speakers of the rally are Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB, Prodip Kumar Roy of On Line Knowledge Centre, Syed Aminul Haque of EquityBD, Fakhrul Ferdous of DCI, Mohin Ahmed of Bangaldesh Krishok Federation, and Farhana Akther of SUPRO.

Prodip Kumar Roy of On Line Knowledge Center mentioned that government has already raised a lot of question on transparency of climate fund disbursement; he also mentioned that there is hardly any information on what World Bank is doing on Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund. He urged the government to reconsider the two funds (BCCTF and BCCRF) for amalgamation in a single fund management i.e. to form an autonomous board like PKSF.

Fokrul Ferdous of DCI mentioned that, it is an international conspiracy that government is maintaining such a questionable fund management so that World Bank will have the means and space to finger corruption, thus justify her claim to manage the fund. And in fact which will strengthen World Bank conditionality leverage to open our market for multi national companies and to make our country in more indebt ness.

Sayed Aminul Haque of EquityBD has criticized the present formation of two climate fund board, which he term as mere Government Ownership. He proposed alternative term “Democratic Ownership” i.e., the board should also consist of member of parliaments from opposition, representative from media, local government and climate victims. He suggested four following steps, government to follow in already disbursed projects, i.e., in each of disbursed project there should have (i) corruption risk assessment, (ii) information disclosure policy, (iii) complain response mechanism and (iv) participation index in all implementation level.

Download Related Paper [Bangla_press] [English_press] [Position Paper]

Shame for the Nation, ADB requesting only $ 25,000 for Bangladesh from World Bank PPCR

By
equitybd
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Dhaka, 7th December 2011. Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) today in statement, express their grave concern on a recent move by Asian Development Bank (ADB) in World Bank (WB)’s Pilot Project on Climate Resilience (PPCR) for US $ 25,000 grant to assist Bangladesh Capacity Building and Knowledge Management in respect of climate change. According to PPCR management, if there are no objection by 13th October the grant will be approved.

PPCR is a window of Climate Investment Fund of World Bank, created with the contribution of developed countries, in fact to create an instances of by passing the process of creating Green Climate Fund (GFC) under UNFCCC, that developing countries demanding, whereby there will be less control of international financial institution. In contrast to the demand of developing countries, developed countries demand is to have strong role of World Bank in climate finance.

Developed countries and also the international financial institution (IFI) like WB and ADB putting the carrot of PPCR that country like Bangladesh should be a recipient of PPCR, so that they can showcase the country that Bangladesh has already took money from PPCR. In fact which is to demoralize other developing countries in their demand in lesser or no role of WB in climate finance? It should be noted that EquityBD and other civil society organizations already protested and urged not to take any money from WB PPCR in the name of climate financing.

EquityBD urged, relevant government agency to explain, i.e., why and how the demand is being realized and why it has not been considered as it is a very small money, and how ADB has applied for such a small money in the name of Bangladesh. We strongly feel that for knowledge management and capacity building such a small money could be easily funded from the government even which could be funded from Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF). We also demand an explanation of governments External Resource Division (ERD) on their role in this respect. This is shameful and this is a reflection of begging mentality of some quarters in the government.

Download Related Paper [Bangla press] [English press ] [MDB Fee Request_BAN SPCR_Technical Assistance]
[ADB Technical Assistance Report] [Email correspondence]

Claiming Rights over Land and Inheritance for Women

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 2nd October 2011. Today National Committee on International Rural Women Day Observation at National Press Club, in a press conference announced country wide programs on 15th October the international day on rural women. Main campaign issue of the day this year is “Claim and Ensure Rights Over Land and Inheritance for Women”. On behalf of the committee Morshead Khatun Dilara, Joint Secretary, National Committee moderated the session; Advocate Shamima Sultana Silu, Chairman, Khulna, District Committee, read out the written statement; others speakers are Salma Akhter, Chairman, Khustia District Committee; Jashim Uddin from Savar Committee and Mahabub Alam Feroze of National Committee.

Mosheda Khatun Dilara mentioned that it was the 1995 Beijing women conference adopted the proposal for observation of 15th October as Rural Women Day, later during 2007 UN has adopted a resolution for marking the 15th October as International Rural Women Day. Since 2000, in Bangladesh NGOs and CSOs observing the day to raise voice for the Rural Women and it is one of the initiatives without any external funding.

In written statement from national committee as read out by Advocate Shamima Sultana Silu, described different international charters and clauses from national constitutions which state in favor of women’s equal rights over land and inheritance, it is also mentioned that some of the national policy is not so clear on the issue. The statement also said that, this is society has need greater awareness and simultaneously the state has to ensure the equal rights for women in land and also in inheritance.

Salma Akhter from Khustia has mentioned that, there will be press conference, seminar and rally in each districts, one of the major attraction of the day observation is that, in each district there will be award of honor for rural man who has created examples in giving due inheritance to thier sisters and mothers, and rural women who has contributed in respect of mid wifery, seed preservation, claiming legitimate rights over government resource, etc. A national seminar on the issue will be held in Dhaka.

Download Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press] [leaflet_irwd]

Climate Change Impact And Disaster Vulnerabilities In The Coastal Areas Of Bangladesh

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equitybd
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Geo-Social Context of Bangladesh’s Coast

The coastal areas of Bangladesh is different from rest of the country not only because of its unique geo-physical characteristics but also for different sociopolitical consequences that often limits people’s access to endowed resources and perpetuate risk and vulnerabilities. Coastal areas include coastal plain islands, tidal flats, estuaries, neretic and offshore waters. It extends to the edge of a wide (about 20 km) continental self. A vast river network, a dynamic estuarine system and a drainage basin intersect the coastal zone, which made coastal ecosystem as a potential source of natural resources, diversified fauna and floral composition, though there also have immense risk of natural disasters.

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