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Denounce Climate Axis of Evil: Break the G77 and China Group

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equitybd
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Durban, 8th December 2011. Today in a press conference in official premise of UNFCCC CoP 17 six Bangladeshi civil society networks in a press conference commented USA, India and China as climate axis of evil and urged LDC and SIDS country to break the G77 +China group and urged to emerge as separate negotiation group in UNFCCC and also in all other global negotiation process too.

The press conference was jointly organized by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNet), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change in Bangladesh (NCCB). The press conference was introduced by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, moderated by Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL, written statement of the group read out by Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CSRL, the statement was complemented by Raja Debasish Roy of BIPNet and vote of thanks and conclusion was given by Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB.

In the written statement the group reviewed the ongoing negotiation process and observed that, “China and India as the key players of BASIC group, in collaboration with Annex 1 lead USA, using the camouflage of G 77 and China, have kept the current negotiations at the False Bay of South Africa and traded off the well being of millions of people through out the developing world”. They also said “we denounce the act of Axis of Evil that has already committed increasing number of deaths and destructions to the most vulnerable countries.” They urged African Group, the SIDS and the LDCs to come out of the illusion, accept the reality, formally protest and dissolve the G 77 and China, and learn to negotiate on their own.

Ziaul Hoque Mukta mentioned, India and China did such a camouflage also in WTO negotiation process which in fact given the chance of advantage to the developed countries. Raja Debasish Roy said that government in LDCs are rather being hostages in such a horse trading, peoples in vulnerable countries can not be waited until CoP 18 to 20 for climate change resolution.

Please Download [Bangla press] [English Press] [Statement]

Climate Induced Migrants are the Historical Responsibility of Developed Countries

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equitybd
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Durban 7th December 2011. Today in a seminar at University of Kwan Zulu Natal (UKZN), right civil society leaders like Kumi Naido, Executive Director, Green Peace International; Raja Debasish Roy, Chief Patron of BIPNetCCBD and others mentioned that Issues Climate Induced Migrants are the historical responsibility of the annex 1 or developed countries.

The seminar title “Climate Induced Migrants and Human Right Perspective” was organized by six Bangladeshi climate networks like Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNetCCDB), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change in Bangladesh (NCCB), and six other international network like Jubilee south, Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), LDC Watch, South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), 350.Org, and Trust for Community and Education (TOCH).

The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, key note presentation was given by Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CSRL, other prominent speakers are Senior Professor of UKZN Dr. Patrick Bond; one of the key organizer of CoP 17 Civil Society space Professor Brain Ash of UKZN; Malcolm Demons from Economic Justice Network (EJN)Africa, Willy D Costa, Chairman, Jubilee south APMDD; Raja Debasish Roy, Adviser to the ex care taker government in Bangladesh; Tanvir Shakil Joy, Member of Parliament from Bangladesh; and Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam International.

Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CSRL made five proposal in his presentation, which are, relocation and resettlement of the climate induced migrants should come under negotiated adaptation framework, replication of Australian Migration Law 2007, UN must frame a legal regime in view of the term Universal Natural Person, and detail elaboration of Cancun agreement clause section 14 f. which is on climate induced migrants. Professor Patrick Bond and Brian Ash urged climate justice movement to take up the issue; they mentioned the experiences of difficulties from political level of South African authorities on while they have organized a camp of 2000 climate refugee in Durban during this CoP 17. Malcolm Demons of EJN state the situation of climate induced migrants in Africa; he expressed full support for the movement. Willy D Costa, mentioned the cases on how Indian right wing politicians use Bangladeshi migrants issue, he urged to create separate allocation of fund in Green Climate Fund on relocation and resettlement of climate migrants. Tanvir Shakil Joy, Member of Parliament from Bangladesh and Raja Debasish Roy of BIPNetCCBD urged that Politicians has to act fast on climate change issues otherwise people lose faith the multilateral process and the consequences will be irreversible.

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Climate Change Impacts in Water and Migration of Bangladesh Drawn Attention in CoP 17

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equitybd
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Durban, 6th December 2011. On 5th December, Bangladesh Minister on Forest and Environment Dr. Hasan Mahmud has visited the photo exhibition stall run by six Bangladeshi civil society organizations (CSO) and six other international networks. The stall has been showing twenty six photos on climate change impacts in water and migration since 29th December in official UNFCCC, Conference of Parties (CoP 17) side events and exhibits place at ICC, Durban.

Six Bangladeshi networks are Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network of Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNet), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD), and Network on Climate Change in Bangladesh (NCCB). Six other international networks are, Jubilee South-Argentina, Asia Pacific Movement for Debt and Development (APMDD)-Philippines, LDC Watch-Brussels, 350.Org-USA, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)-Nepal and Trust of Community and Education (TOCE)-South Africa.

There are twenty six photos being shown, taken by prominent photographer Din Mohammed Sibly with the assistance of Atikul Alam Polash. Most of the photos has been taken south west region especially from Sathkhira on how intrusion of saline water creating drinking water crisis, some photos from country’s south east region too, especially from the island of Kutubdia that how the island is being submerged due to sea water raise. Some photos are also taken from Dhaka city slum. All the photos substantiated by short case studies of fact and figures. Title of the stall was given “voices from the climate change ground zero”. The stall will continue up to 9th December, every day the stall opened from 8.30 am and continue till 8 pm in the evening. The photos has drawn attention of huge delegates who are participating in official CoP 17 process. These photos are intellectual rights free and also available in www.equitybd.org. EquityBD has also organized same sort of photo exhibitions both in Cancun during CoP 16 and Copenhagen during CoP 15.

During Minister Hasan visit, Dr. Abdul Matin from BAPA; Golam Mortoza, Editor Shatahik; Kawsar Rahaman, Chief Reporter, Dainik Janakanta, Imam Hossain, Chief Executive, Nawzowan, Chittagong and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from EquityBD were also present there.

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Delaying Outcome in CoP Process May Hastened Mass Killing

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equitybd
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Durban, 5th December 2011. Today at CoP 17 media briefing room Kosi Palm, six Bangladeshi civil society climate networks remarked that if the present CoP 17 process delayed in reaching a consensus, then it will be mass killing, as there will be temperature raise will continue and extreme events will be continued to be happened. Six Bangladeshi civil society climate networks are Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People’s Network on Climate Change and Bio Diversity (BIPNetCCBD), 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, written statement was read out by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, question and answer responded by Dr. Ahsan Uddin Ahmed of CSRL and Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB, finally conclusion remark and vote of thanks was given by Dr. Abdul Matin of BAPA.

The statement said that “ the global leadership have threatened to withdraw from the only legally binding instrument available…also taken tactic to delay the process…negotiated regime should ensure a wider, deeper cut in emission, especially by the Annex 1 countries, must be agreed with immediate effect. The science demands that the global peaking of emissions must not be extended beyond 2015, and the overall emission should be reduced at least 45 % below 1990 levels by 2020, with a subsequent aim of reducing emissions above 85 % below 1990 levels by 2050.”

Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL mentioned if there will be delayed then there will be mass deprivation on people especially on poor people of climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh due to climate catastrophes, then whatever the size climate financing for adaptation that will be meaning less. Dr. Ahsan Uddin of CSRL mentioned that delay in outcome and threats of withdrawal by some developed countries like as climate terrorism toward the poor people of the earth. Mizanur Rahaman Bijoy of NCCB mentioned that pulling out from legally binding agreement means genocide to the people of Bangladesh, people has no time to delayed. Dr. Matin from BAPA in conclusion said that, people should not go home back from Durban with demoralization.

Please Download [Bangla press] [English Press] [Statement]

Climate Induced Migrants Need of a New UN Protocol for their Rights to Life and Livelihood

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equitybd
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3rd December 2011, Durban. Today in a seminar organized in Durban UNFCCC CoP 17 side event place by six Bangladeshi and another six international civil society networks in a seminar demands a new United Nation protocol for climate induced migrants. The networks are BAPA, BIPNet, CCDF, CSRL, EquityBD, NCCB, Jubilee South, APMDD, LDC Watch, SAAPE, 350 org, and TCOE. The seminar was introduced by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, moderated by Dr Ahsan Uddin of CSRL, Dr. Quazi Kholliquzzaman of Bangladesh government delegation has participated as Chief Guest, and members of the panelists were, Juan Carlos Soriano of 350 Org, Janet Redmen of Institute of Policy Studies, USA, Elena Girebizza of CRBM, Itally. Golam Rabbani of CCDF has given the key note presentation. Dr. Abdul Matin of BAPA has concluded the seminar and given vote of thanks.

Apart from designated panelist, among the participants Michelle Yonetani from IDMC and NRC, Laurie Goering from Reuters, Jespreet Kindra from UNIRIN, Helene Connor from Helio International, Ziual Haque Mukta from Oxfam, Kamal Ahmed from UNDP, and Mizanur Rahaman Bijoy from NCCB also spoke on the occasion.

Golam Rabbani, has given reference of different global studies is that there will be one in each forty-five in the world will be climate induced migrants, he proposed policy actions in this regard either they could be categorized as universal natural person and need of new UN protocol. Janet Redmen and Elena Gijaberra mentioned that if there will be climate financing under international financial institutions and if there will be inclusion of private financing and corporations then there will be more displacement as those agencies has biasness for larger infrastructure projects. Juan Carlos has narrated his personal story that how he has been displaced from his own home town of Peru, due to the climate change impacts. Dr.Quazi Khollikuzzaman mentioned that all though Bangladesh has achieved to include a para on climate induced migrants in Cancun agreement, but total negotiation process, promises and practices of developed countries is not encouraging. He also mentioned there are hardly any global leaders who can come up with bold decision, he feels that every single dollars being spend in Durban seems wastage of money.

In conclusion Dr Ahsan Uddin plea to Annex 1 i.e. developed countries to take responsibility of these entire climate induced migrants and Dr. Matin of BAPA mentioned that in view of 1948 UN declaration of human rights these people must have their right to life and livelihood. Organizers informed that same seminar will also be happened on 7th December in University of Kawanzulu Natal.

Please Download [Bangla press] [English Press] [Presentation] [Report]

No to the World Bank and Corporate Greed in Green Climate Fund

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equitybd
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1st December 2011. Today different rights group’s civil society organizations organized a demonstration in a nearby junction of Durban International Conference Center where UNFCCC Conference of Parties 17 (CoP 17) is being happening. The rights group, demanded World Bank out of climate finance, they also oppose private and corporate involvement in the Green Climate Fund. The groups involved Friends of Earth (FOE), Jubilee South Asia Pacific Debt and Development (JASPMDD), World Development Movement (WDM), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and a delegation from Bangladeshi BAPA, CSRL, EquityBD and NCCB.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from Bangladesh in the rally condemns World Bank greedy ness and eagerness to involvement in Green Climate Fund and Multi Donor Trust Fund in Bangladesh. Lidy Nacpil form JSAPMDD demanded that all the climate finance should come as climate debt reparation from developed countries and it should go through the UN process. Karen Orenstein from FoE said that all the funding in GCF should be from public funding of developed countries and it must additional to already committed 0.7 % of GNP. Kristy Right from WDM mentioned that there should not be any private funding as a part of GCF, as all the private funding always look for profit. Mithika Miwanda from PACJA mentioned that corporate greed of the private companies and international financial institutions in fact is the major cause of climate catastrophes so it should not be repeated in the GCF.

It should be noted that a number of activists from Bangladesh under a alliance of BAPA, CCDF, BIPNet, CSRL, EquityBD and NCCB are participating both in official UNFCCC process as NGO observers and also participating in the outside events especially in the civil society or people space as organized in the University of Kawanzulu Natal.

Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press]

No Loan, Compensation from rich countries to the climate affected countries

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equitybd
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22 November 2011. Today from a rally held in Dhaka University South Asian civil society leaders demanded compensation for the climate change affected countries from the rich countries that are really responsible for climate changes. They also demanded World Bank to be out of all kind of climate funds. They also urged South Asian leaders to establish a People’s South Asia.

The rally organized by Jubilee South Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development was started from the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University. Among others the main participants were La Vi Campasina, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Krishani Sobha, Garments labour Federation, Jatio Sromik Jote from Bangladesh. Pakistan Fisherfolk Federation and Anjuman majharin of Pakistan. Others participants were All Nepalese Peasant Federation (Nepal), South Indian Committee on Farmers (India), Centre for Ecological Studies (Germeny), KMP (Philipine).

Main slogan of the rally was Rich Countries must pay their climate debts. World Bank: Out of Climate fund now.

Later a meeting was held. Badrul Alam of la via campasina informed that, an Asian caravan has been organized with the participation of various organizations from Asian countries demanding climate justice for the Asian countries.

Saeed Baluch of Pakistan Fisherfolk Federation said, Time has come to be united for the people of the South Asia. People of this region have been suffering from climate change effect and the result of capitalism. So, there should be united voice to stand against this system.

Dr. Keshab of All Nepalese Peasant Federation said, people of this region have been bonded historically; it is time to regain that united spirit to realize our demands. We have to stand beside one another to solve our problem.

Jaed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishok Federation said, World Bank is trying to place loan as the panacea to the climate change affected poor countries, but we do not want loan, we demand compensation, we want to see World Bank out of climate fund.

In the meeting Micheal from England, Turn from Germany, Farzana from Bangladesh, Shova from India, Willi D Cost from India, Mackvia from Srilanka also spoke.

Coordinator of Jubilee South Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development Lidy Napcil was also present at the rally and the meeting.

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Political will is must for the success of PPP

By
equitybd
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21 November 2011. Today in a workshop held in Dhaka speakers expressed their concern that, bureaucracy and the lack of confidence are the main challenges for the success of the Public Private Partnership (PPP), according to their observation, to make the idea of PPP successfull political will is must. They were speaking during a workshop titlled “PPP: What Works and What does Not“. The Reality of Aid (RoA) Asia Pacific, The Asia Pacific Reserch Network (APRN), equityBD, Coastal Development Partnership (CPD) and Voice jointly organized the program.

The workshop was moderated by Dr. Sohel Iqbal of EquityBd while Jahangir Hossain Masum delivered the welcome note. M Shamim Siddiqui of The Asia Foundation and Erin Polmares of RoA presented two position papers.

In his presentation Shamim Siddiqui stated that, PPP can play a vital role in implementing devlopment projects effectively, but political will is must to make the PPP succesfull. Intention of maximize the utilization of public fund, strong monitoring mechanism are also needed. He mentioned that, good governnecne in PPP has to be ensured and civil society organizations can take some advocacy inititive to ensure that good governnance. He also emphasized on the good governance and corporate social responsibilitiies of private sector.

In her presentation Erin Polmares stated that, PPP is actually a new face of privatization imposed by the international financial institutions to the developing countries. It is a mean to gain profits of the private sector using public money. But according to her, if public participation in planning, implementation and monitoring process can be ensured, PPP can play positive role in development.

Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Presentation]

Emphasize on direct tax is suggested as a mean of resource mobilization

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equitybd
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20 November 2011. Today in a workshop, speakers termed VAT as a burden for the poor. They suggested the direct tax as a strong and effective mean of resource mobilization. They were speaking at a workshop jointly organized by equityBD, Tax Justice Network, Voice, INCIDIN Bangladesh and Rupantar. The workshop titled ‘ VAT and Pro Poor Resource Mobilization’ was held in the Mukarram Bhaban of Dhaka University as a part of the South Asian Social forum.

The workshop was moderated by Sahid Ullah of Dev. Synerg. Isnt, while Syad Aminul Haque of EquityBD presented the key note paper. Among others the workshop was also presented by Matti Kohenen of Tax Justice network, Lidy Napcil of Jubilee South Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development, Shoshanko Bandopadhay of Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (India), Farukh Tarique and Ehetashem rana of Pakistan labour party, Pradip Kumar Roy of Online Knowledge Society, Hasan Mehedi of Humanity Watch, Moqbul Ahamad of COAST Trust and Siourab Barua of Shongshoptok.

In key note presentation Syad Aminul Haque mentioned that direct tax in revenue mobilization of Bangladesh is 18 % while indirect tax contribution is 82 %, where VAT is a major part. He mentioned that in developing countries even in countries like in India and Srilanka, contribution of direct tax is around 70 %, 33 % and 31 % respectively. He urged that direct tax net should be expanded. At present only around 50 % TIN (tax identification number) holders are regularly paying taxes. He also urged that government should take policy measures to bring the invisible economy in the surface which is around 37 % of GDP.

Matti Kohenen said, International financial institutions always trying to influence developing countries tax policies. The main intention is to ensure interest of rich countries and multinational companies. She said, developing countries can collect more money from reducing or protecting the illicit money laundering or black money than the VAT. She proposed different taxes like Bank Transfer Tax on rich as an alternative to VAT.

Lidi Napcil said, the state’s right to tax goes hand in hand with the state’s obligation to protect and uphold the rights of its citizens. Taxes should promote equity and redistributive justice.

Download related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press]

RTI Act can play a vital role in establishing a true democratic South Asia.

By
equitybd
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Dhaka, 12 November 2011. Speakers at a seminar held in Dhaka University said that the effective implementation of RTI act can play a vital role in establishing people’s government and true democracy in South Asia. They expressed this opinion during a workshop held in Dhaka University as part of the series of workshops and seminars under the South Asian Social Forum. The forum is being jointly organized by the secretariat of the South Asian Social Forum and the Dhaka University. The title of that workshop was Implementation of RTI Act: Role of NGOs and CSOs. It was organized by RTI Forum, Transparency International Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Reality of Aid Asia Pacific. Eminent columnist Kuldip Nayar of India was the chief guest.
The workshop was moderated by Saheen Anam (RTI Forum/MJF) and Dr. Jagadanada (Hon’ble Information Commissioner, Orrissa, India), Dr. Iftekaruzzaman (TIB), Dr. Sadeka Halim (Hon’ble Information Commissioner, Bangladesh), Rezaul K Chowdhury (Equitybd) were also spoke at the workshop.

Dr. Jagadanada said, RTI act is window for the general public to get the door of rights. He placed some important role of the RTI act in Urissa in reducing the suicide rate of the farmers of that state of India.
Dr. Iftekaruzzaman said, RTI Act of Bangladesh is definitely a good law, but the need is to ensure its implementation.

Rezaul K Chowdhury placed some example of success of his organization by ensuring open information to all.

Dr. Sadeka Halim emphasized on proper training for the government officials on RTI act.

Kuldip Nayar expressed his hope to get regional act on Right to Information which will provide opportunity to all the people of this region to seek information to any other country.

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