Dhaka, 26th January 2016. A group of rights based Civil Society Organizations condemned the eviction of the Klyanour Slum in Dhaka. About 27 organizations also demanded the integration of the Internal Displacement policy in the upcoming 7th Five Year policy to ensure effective rehabilitation of the climate induced displaced people. They raised the issue from a human chain and organized today in front of the National Press Club, Dhaka.
The human chain and rally was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD. Among others ASM Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Pradip Kumar Roy of Online Knowledge Society, Advocate Shafikul Islam of Bangalesh Krishak Federation, Rafiqul Islam Pothik of Gono Forum, Engineer Foyez Ahmed of Jatyo Sromik Federation, Firuja Begum of Jago Nari, Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara Trust and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD spoke at the occasion.
On behalf of the organizers Mustafa Kamal Akanda placed the major demands which are: Assigning a national organization for collecting data on climate displaced and draft effective and sustainable plan for climate displaced, proposing vocational and skill development training for them, cities must be equipped enough to accommodate the climate displaced people, water and sanitation services must be ensured for them, an Internal Displacement Policy must be incorporated in the upcoming 7th five year plan.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said, within 2050 it is estimated that one of each five person of Bangladesh will be climate migrant. We have to be ready to address their problems. About 35% people of Dhaka are living in slums and among the slum dwellers about 90% people are climate induced displaced people. Most of them have come form coastal areas of Bangladesh. 90% of the Kalyanpur slum are form Bhola island. Activities like such slum eviction will hamper Prime Ministers international position in favour of Climate Migrants.
Prodip Kumar Roy said, Bangladesh can’t be a Middle income country without the participation of the slum dwellers. If we want international support for climate displaced as we have been demanding in different global climate conferences, we will have to establish good example within our country.
Badrul Alam said, due to climate change about 30-40 million people will be displaced in Bangladesh, what will be there shelter? It is the state who must take their responsibilities.
Rafiqul Islam Pothik said, eviction of Klaynpur slum is an example of violation of law and regulation. There is still an embargo in doing so. Being a climate vulnerable country it is a bit shameful for us to see such an eviction, as most of the evicted people are climate induced migrated people.
Engineer Foyez said, Our Prime Minister was the first head of the government who demanded a separate UN protocol for the climate migrants. So, in her own country climate migrants must get sustainable solution with their dignity.
Please Download Related Paper [Bangla Press release] [English Press Release] [Position Paper]
Photos
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Newspaper Link
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
