Dhaka, 12th November 2012. Today in a seminar held at national press club title “Climate Induced Migrants: Adaptation and National Policy” civil society urged government to do appropriate home work and stressed to prepare a national policy on climate displacement. The seminar was organized by countries seven civil society networks namely, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network on Climate Change and Bio Diversity ( BIPNetCCBD), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Climate Finance Governance Network (CFGN), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change Bangladesh (NCCB).
The seminar was attended by Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud as Chief Guest, moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD; key note presentation was given by Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB, Din Mohammed Shibly a free lance photographer and Hasan Mehedi of Humanitywatch. Other speakers of the seminar were, Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CGC, Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam / CSRL, Mrinal Kanti Tripura of BIPNetCCBD, Zakir Hossain Khan of TIB / CFGN, Jahangir Hossain Masum of CDP, Iqbal Uddin of RDRS, and Badurl Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation.
Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that soon government will commission a study in this regard which will help to place argument in international level, and also to prepare national policy in this regard. He said that it is because Prime Minister consistent voice in this relation and government effort, formally in Cancun agreement the issue has been formally accepted. It is noted that Prime Minister consistently demanding new international regime for climate induced migrants.
Dr. Ahsan uddin of CGC urged government for review on urbanization policy and as there are valid forecast for internal climate migration, he mentioned that most of slum dwellers are climate migrants from coastal area, they should not be treated in quasi illegal ways, and our cities should be developed and prepared for accommodating them too.
Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam / CSRL urged government to activate foreign ministry in this regard to raise the issue in different international forums, especially in SAARC and WTO level. Zakir Hossain Khan of TIB / CFGN said that there should be appropriate education system focusing technical education in secondary and higher education level especially for coastal region, so that they will get employment while they are displaced. Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB on behalf of the groups in his key note presentation stressed for an integrated national policy in view of UN internal displacement policy. Rezaul Karim Chowdhry of EquityBD mentioned that there are several international civil society groups started campaign that there should be new UN protocol consideration climate forced migrants as universal natural person, as they have the rights to live and livelihood in places.
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