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EquityBD urged international commitment and justice to combat forced displacement caused by climate change

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indexPicDhaka 20 June 2009: 20th June, on the day of World Refugee Day, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and several other organizations organized a Human Chain in front of the National Press Club Dhaka while they demanded international commitment and justice to combat forced displacement caused by climate change. Md Shamsuddoha, General Secretary of EquityBD said that that the greatest single impact of climate change might be on human migration. He said, by 2050 the disruptions of monsoon systems and other rainfall regimes, droughts, sea level rise and coastal flooding would cause forced displacement of many as 200 million people globally while in Bnagladesh this figure would reach to 30 million. It would mean that by 2050 one in every 7 people in Bangladesh would have been displaced by climate change. Although the world is predicting the future floods of the climate change induced forced migrants but, still, no policy measures have taken yet to safeguard them; even there is no specific terms and concepts of referring these climate change induced migrants.

The speaker from the human chain argued that the current mandate of UNHCR on refugees’ covers only individual who flee their countries because of state-led persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, or ethnicity. The mandate of the UN Refugee Convention does neither cover nor comply the core characteristics of the climate change induced migrants crisis. Therefore, the people forced to be migrated due to climate change should bestow a different status and a different term and they should be given a dignified status ‘Universal Natural Person’ with social, cultural and economic rehabilitation.

The speaker said that the recent past weather extreme events in Bnagladesh like cyclone Sidr and Aila made many people homeless. These homeless people finally find their destination in the urban slums while they face serious violation of human rights. The speaker urgued, considering the notion of justice to the climate change induced migrants and also taking into consideration the article 13 of the 1948 Declaration of Human Right, the international community and especially the United Nations must ensure protection of the forced migrants. In line with the HR declaration and equity principle of UNFCCC, the speakers demanded a separate, independent legal and political regime under a Protocol to safeguard the ‘climate change induced migrants ’. This protocol could be drawn on widely agreed principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities of the country Parties. In this regard, the climate change induced migrants must be treated as permanent immigrants to the regions or countries that accept them.

Among others, Sanat K. Bhowmik, Mostofa Kamal Akhand, Sawkat Ali tutul, Gaza Sumsuzaman, Abdur Rahman and Atiqul Islam Chowdhury of EquityBD were present in the human chain.

Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position paper]

21st February teaches us to be Independent While WB & IMF Make Us Dependent and Chain under Neo Colonialism

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equitybd
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equitybd21st February 2009: Dhaka. Today the Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) brought out a rally to pay respect to the martyrs of the International Mother Language Day, during 1952 in this day students of East Bengal (the then East Pakistan) lied their life in fighting against colonial rulers the then Pakistani regime to…

World Bank Involvement in Climate Financing Opposed: Stress Political Participation

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equitybd
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index-picDhaka 21st December 2008. Today through organizing a press conference at National Press Club, Dhaka, Equity and Justice Working Group (equitybd) has concluded its three month long campaign on sensitizing political and CSOs opinion against the involvement of the World Bank in the management of proposed Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for climate change adaptation in Bangladesh. The campaign progaramme includes sending post cards from the grassroots level to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and UK Minster, organizing seminars in district and national level to sensitize CSOs and political opinion against WB involvement in the management of climate fund. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener EquityBD moderated the press conference while Md. Shamsuddoha presented the background paper and campaign outcomes. In this press conference the organizers claimed that they mobilized a number of international CSO organizations and think tanks in favor of their position who also organized huge campaign activities in Poznan, CoP 14 (conference of the parties) climate conference against WB’s involvement in climate financing.

Speakers apprehend a conspiracy on the finalization of MDTF under World Bank management during the tenure of this interim government. They strongly urged to put the matter, especially the preparation of ‘climate change strategy and action plan’ to the next political government. They clarified the rationale of opposing World Bank, saying that this approach will allow the World Bank imposing anti poor conditionality to the countries. Moreover World Bank is playing a hypocritical and double standard role through financing to the fossil fuel and coal fired generating electricity project which are considered as dirty projects globally. Speakers mentioned that they will continue the campaign to sensitize up-coming members of parliament and Upazila chairmen who will be aware on the issue and oppose World Bank and IFIs in climate finance.

AHM Bazlur Rahman of EquityBD and Quazi Farooque explained the campaign procedure while Mostafa Kamal Akanda delivered the welcome address. Following the UK-Bangladesh climate change conference held in London in September, 2008 EquityBD and 30 other national organizations launched this campaign as Bangladesh Finance Adviser and also UK government proposed the World Bank to manage the fund. The organizers also pointed out that initially UK government announced 60 million pound sterling for five year period while Bangladesh government proposed 45 million pound sterling from this year budget alone; the organizers claimed that GoB contribution to climate adaptation fund is quite unreasonable as Bangladesh is no way responsible for climate change. This is also against the ‘Polluter Pay Exploiter Principle’ of climate financing. Initially the campaign was initiated by 30 organizations from the country and three international networks in Asia.

Among the signatories there are around 50 organizations from the country, where prominent organizations from the countries like Uddipon, ADD, CAB, COAST, Prodipon, NCCB, Solidarity, Innovators, Vocice etc and around 35 organizations from international level these are Jubilee South – APMDD, Jubilee South Africa, SANSAD and INSAF from India, LDC Watch, SAAPE, Focus on Global South, EEPA-Belguim. In respect of individuals there are signatures of Advocate Sultana Kamal ex Adviser to the care taker government, Rashed Khan Menon of Worker’s Party, Hasanul Haque Inu of JSD, Prominent Cultural Activist Hasan Imam, Dr. Alauddin and KM Jahangir of Awami Legue, Shamsuzzaman Dudu of BNP and Golam Mortaza of Saptahiki. Around 3000 post card has been sent to both UK and Bangladesh government.

Please Download [Bangla press] [English press] [Campaign Bangla] [Campaign English]

Shun Aid Dependency; Stress Domestic Resource Based Politics and Economy

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 19th November 2008: Today in a seminar organized by EquityBD held in national press club, titled “Doha Conference on Development Financing: Reproduction of Poverty in Bangladesh and Demand for Compensation’ speakers inquired this interim government to declare country position in terms of development financing in public in the upcoming United Nations Finance for Development (UNFFD) conference to be held in Doha during 29th Nov – 2nd Dec 2008. They requested the Finance Minister not to take the position in line with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Speakers also urged the politicians and bureaucrats to come out from the dependency on foreign aid, and give concern in the mobilization of domestic resources.

EquityBD convenor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury moderated the seminar while Md. Shamsuddoha, Secretary General of the organization reviewed the outcomes of Monterrey Consensus, the 1st World Conference of Development Financing, and highlighted the expectation from the Doha conference.

Among others, Professor Dr. Abu Ahmed, Sapatahiki Editor Golam Mortaza, BSS Editor Joglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Ex MP Sahiduzaman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Ex Ambassador Waliur Rahman, Journalist Farooque Ahmed, AHM Bazlur Rahaman, Mostafa Kamal Akanda took part in the discussion. Md. Shamsuddoha, in his presentation, urged that Bangladesh require innovative financing instruments as the country is facing climate change risk and the Finance Minister who will lead the country delegation in Doha conference should demand SIDR cyclone and climate change compensation. He also inquired government position in asking reform of World Bank and International Monetary Fund, debt cancellation and reparation of historical exploitation. He also mentioned that study shows that Bangladesh pay $ 1.50 for per $ 1.00 of aid and loan money.

Dr. Abu Ahmed said ‘historically development aid is practiced as a part of system that generates deepening inequality and dependence across and within the country’. The rich countries always try to sell their loans by the name of development projects, we should innovate mechanism to mobilize resource of our own. He also demanded to disclose statistics of foreign currency drain in the frame of profit repatriation, education and health expenditure of rich people in abroad. Journalist Farooque Ahmed mentioned that aid / foreign loan has made a commercialization of development. Ex MP Sahiduzzaman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu, stated that a patriotic and democratic government is a must for pro poor domestic resource based economy. Shaptahiki Editor Golam Mortaza demanded that the government should not negotiate further on any loan with international financial institutions and also not to sign any contract with any foreign company, until a political government takes power in the country. Prominent journalist and columnist Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury urged to examine the present global crisis that Bangladesh can take some opportunities. Ex Ambassador Waliur Rahaman argued all the politicians and others to take a vision for silver jubilee of the liberation of Bangladesh in 2021 for a sovereign economy without any foreign aid and loan.

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

EquityBd Demanded Democratic Reform in Global Finance Governance

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equitybd
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Index_161108Dhaka 16th November 2008. Today Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) has organized a press conference in Dhaka Reporter Unity, as stated they suppose to organize a human chain in front of national high court building on 15th November, but they failed to get police permission, in relation they have organized this press conference. They are observing one year anniversary of cyclone SIDR, simultaneously they are also protesting President Bush’s anti crisis meeting to day along with the heads G20 countries in Washington. This is the meeting happening to sort out on how to overcome present global economic crisis the world especially the developed and advance developed countries are facing. The press conference spoken by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Md. Shamsuddoha, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Sahadat Islam Chowdhury and others.

Speakers said that, according to the donors and World Bank assessment there was SIDR damage of 1.7 billion dollars but the country has received only 350 million dollar so far as aid from other countries, which is only reparation of 20.5 % of the total damages. The speakers mentioned climate change and carbon emission of the developed country is the major responsible of cyclone like SIDR in Bangladesh. They demand compensation as ecological debt from the developed country like USA and EU and also from advance developing countries like India, China and Brazil, who are also in line of developed countries, increasing their carbon emissions.

They demanded white paper from government, non government and UN organization on use of aid money in SIDR rehabilitation.

They also blamed the approach of unlimited freedom of market and limitless greed for profit is the main root cause of global financial crisis ultimately which is also creating climate catastrophic, especially causing worse suffering in Bangladesh. There is an initiative for reform in global financial governance from UN, Ban Ki Moon formed a committee headed by prominent economist Joseph Stiglitz, and by passing this President Bush has called this today’s meeting. Speakers mentioned that, this is an ill perceived approach just to save World Bank and IMF basically who is the promoter of blanket privatization and liberalization. Speakers demanded participation of all the UN members, especially civil society from developing countries in reform of the global financial governance, they also demanded World Bank and IMF should be brought under UN control.

Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position paper]

 

Second PRSP would make country more indebted to the World Bank and IMF

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indexPicDhaka 3rd November 2008. Today, in a press conference held in Dhaka Reporters Unity, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) urged political leaders to scrap PRSP process as this document has been prepared with the instruction of IMF. They urged political leaders to regain country’s sovereignty in economic decision which to be outlined in their forthcoming election manifesto; each of the political parties should describe their plan for poverty reduction, employment creation etc. in their election manifesto, the speaker argued. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowhdury, Convener of the group, Sayed Aminul Haque while made the presentation. Besides, Md. Shamsuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury of EquityBd also participated in the press conference.

Speakers said that the 2nd PRSP, which has just approved in the advisor’s council, contains the issues of IMF and WB prescriptions of whole sale privatization and liberalization. All above IMF and WB carefully implanted the issues of macro economic in such a way that the country will be more indebted to the foreign loan, e.g. it has been outlined in the document that government loan borrowing could be up to 60 % of GDP, and debt stock could be 40 % of GDP during the PRSP period. Speakers mentioned that country is already paying annually 17 % of revenue budget as debt servicing which has surpassed the important sectoral allocation like health. Therefore as per proposed volume of loan borrowing would increase country’s debt servicing up to 25 to 30 % of revenue budget, which might force the government to reduce budget allocation to the public service sectors.

Sayed Aminul, in his position paper, mentioned that 2nd PRSP adopted the policies of commercialization of agriculture, irrigation, involvement of private sector in agricultural input business, and introduction of tax system in agriculture; Sayed Aminul mentioned that it is detrimental to the effort to gain self sufficiency in food and also to protect the basic survival of the small farmers. He also mentioned that, while the whole world is trying to regulate market and more nationalization after learning from present economic crisis, second PRSP outlined the policies of more import tariff reduction, reduction of sensitive list etc. which in fact will foreclose the growth of domestic industries and reduce scope of employment. Speakers were also criticized denationalization plan of Padma and Zamuna Oil Company and 26 SOE (state owned enterprise) as planned in the second PRSP.

Speakers urged political leaders to state clear cut poverty reduction policies in their election manifesto and also urged to protect the country’s sovereignty on own economic decision. They also urged political leaders to support UN initiatives of reforming global economic architecture with the participation of all countries of the world, while there are a initiatives from US president Bush to have such a reform only having meeting with G20 ally.

Please Download [Bangla press] [English press] [Position Paper Bangla] [Position Paper English]

Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for Climate Change Adaptation and the role of World Bank

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equitybd
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Index-picDhaka 11 October 2008: Equity &Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) today organized a round table discussion on “Multi Donor Trust Fund for Climate Change, Adaptation and the role of World Bank ” at the National Press Club Md Shamsuddoha ,General Secretary of body presented the keynote paper in the event while Dr Tofail Ahmed moderated the discussion on the floor. Among others, former finance Minister Abul Mal Al Muhit, Former lawmaker engineer Md Shahiduzzaman and Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam took part in the discussion and expressed thier views on the much debated management mechanism of the MDTF.

Md Shamsuddoha in his key note held the view that the formation of such a special fund for Bangladesh to support various action plans for adaptation to face adverse impacts of climate change under World Bank supervision will defeat the vary purpose. It will push the country to sideline of the movement for the reduction of carbon emission and knock out it from securing compensation to come from the developed countries as being the major polluters. He said all climate funding should be executed through the existing government channels. He made the point that there should not be any separate body like the World Bank to channel the fund and overseeing its management. He called upon the government not to take any fund on climate financing from the WB sincw sucg funding would eventually accompany tough conditions and regulations. The fund should be given as compensation, not as interest bearing credit, he said The principle to govern the fund should only be that ‘polluter pay and exploiter pay principle’, which means that the developed countries which are responsible for climate change related problems should pay the compensations to sufferers like Bangladesh, he said

Former finance minister Abul Mal Al Muhit said the risks of climate change can not be faced only by undertaking few projects. Reedial measures should be incorporated in all development plans and projects. “The representation of the people who are vulnerable to climate change should be included in fund management and developing the climate change strategy paper,” he said. He further said that the stance of any government in this respect should be published to the people in a White Paper before joining any inter-governmental or international conference in this regard.

Rejecting the ‘Climate Change Strategy and Action plan for Bangladesh’ prepared by the government, Ziaul Haque said it is by and large a collection of as many proposals. It cannot be treated as an effective strategy to face climatic change in Bangladesh as it lacks consultative views of campaign groups and experts opinion. Tthe Bangladesh Climate Conference in London reached a consensus, he said that the polluter countries would reduce emission by 50 percent of their total carbon emission by 2050, although it is considered insignificant by scientists. He urged the government not to lent support to this target in the next UN convention on climate change.

Local government specialist Prof Dr Tofail Ahmed said climate change issue is now a matter of national existence. So, its importance should be underscored seriously.

Please Download [Press Release] [Position Paper] [Presentation]

Equity BD protested the joint communiqué from UK Bangladesh conference and the Finance Adviser proposal for World Bank to manage multi donor trust fund

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equitybd
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index_pic120908Dhaka 12 September 2008: Today the Equity &Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a press conference on “London Conference on Multi Donor Trust Fund and Climate Change ” at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.

Equity BD protested the joint communiqué from UK Bangladesh conference and the Finance Adviser proposal for World Bank to manage multi donor trust fund. Where Interest of the Bangladeshi poor population has been sell out to build image of rich climate exploiter rich countries.

In the press conference Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener of EquityBD presented the key note paper while AHM Bazlur Rahaman moderated the session. Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdhury , Mustofa Kamal took part in the discussion .

Please Download [Bangla Press] [Position Paper] [Landon- UK-Bangladesh]

Protesting London Conference on Multi Donor Trust Fund and Climate Change

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equitybd
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imageDhaka 04 September 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a press conference on “ [B]London Conference on Multi DonorTrust Fund and Climate Change [/B]” at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.

In the press conference Md Shamsuddoha Secretary General of EquityBD presented the key note paper while Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener of EquityBD moderated the session. During the presentation, equityBD has protested the paper, biased to consultancies and physical infrastructure construction. EquyityBD has also mentioned that the paper has prepared in a very non transparent and in a little participatory process.
Equitybd has also placed five major demands, ie., (i) all climate funding should be through existing government and non government channels, their should not be any separate body for this, (ii) in channeling the fund there should not be any involvement of World Bank, IMF and ADB, we consider those international financial institutions are basically responsible for pauperization in our countries through their neo liberal conditionalitics, who are also responsible for climate catastrophic in our counties as still they fund climate harmful industries and projects, (iii) all climate funding should be based on Polluter / Exploiter Pay principles, not as charity or aid (iv) the funding must be additional to the GNI 0.7 % ODA commitment of developed countries, and (v) the conference must consider the matter of environmental refugees, according the World Bank report their will be 22 millions climate refugee in Bangladesh by the year 2050.
Among others, Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdury , Mustofa Kamal, AHM Bazlur Rahaman of EquityBD participated in the press conference and took part in the discussion .

Please Download [Press Release] [Climate change concept paper]

LDC and Brussels Plan of Actions (BPoA)

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equitybd
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LDC Watch, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) and Equity and Justice Working Group (Equity BD), Bangladesh jointly organized the seminar on ‘LDCs and Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA)’ in Dhaka. In the introductory speech, Dr Arjun K Karki of LDC Watch said there were 24 least developed countries in 1971. ‘But now the number of LDCs has increased to 49 and the rich countries are responsible for their deterioration,’ he said. ‘We were not poor. We were systemically made poor. LDCs must apply ‘2P’ strategy i.e Pressure and Partnership to gain benefit from the international Programme of Actions and multilateral development processes. In the key note presentation Md Shamsuddoha, Secretary equitybd, specifically analyzed the major challenges facing the LDCs in the implementation of BPoA and asked the lending countries and agencies to take immediate measures, which include fulfilling their promises for ensuring economic development in low-income countries, by building up human resources and increasing institutional capacities, enhancing the role of trade in development, reducing vulnerability, protecting the environment and mobilizing financial resources’. Dr Hasan Mahmud, Special Assistant to the Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina, said the least developed countries, like Bangladesh, could not reach their goal, as they follow the advice of international donor agencies like the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed said the elected representatives of the government must make efforts to prepare the development plans with their eyes on nation’s interests, both at local and international levels.

The Jatiya Party’s presidium member, GM Quader, said the political parties here lack the will to protect the nation’s interests while negotiating with the lending countries and agencies.
Among others, equitybd convener Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Economist Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, SAAPE members Rokeya Kabir and Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sharif Al Kafi of BDPC, journalist Asjadul Kibria also participated in the discussion.

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