RIGHTS GROUPS DEMANDED RESIGNATION OF THE FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DUE TO HIS FAILURE IN THE PARIS CLIMATE CONFERENCE `Paris Climate Agreement has made us Slaves!’
Dhaka, 14th December 2015 : A group of Rights Based civil society organizations demanded resignation of the Forest and Environment minister as he has been literally failed to uphold the interest of the country in the Paris Climate Conference. 24 organizations made this demand from a Human Chain organized today in front of the National Press Club, Dhaka.
They also mentioned that, during the conference there was no coordination among delegations, no access for CSOs and media formally in Bangladesh delegation. Minister’s speech in the press conference and sessions were always contradictory and confusing. Minister hardly gave space to other members of the delegation.
The Human Chain titled, ‘ Paris Climate Agreement: We have been made slave!’ was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akand of EquityBD. Among others Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara Trust, Engineer Foyez Hossain of Jatyo Sromik Federation, Prodip Kumar Roy of Online Knowledge Society, Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity, Firoja Begum of banchte Shikh Nari and Kader Hazari of ARPAN also spoke at the occasion.
The written statement on behalf of the organizers says that, the most dangerous decision of the agreement is the decision number 52. Rich countries have been able to refuse their liability of compensation with this. It is clearly a huge wound to the demand Bangladesh has been raising since long time. Bangladesh Prime Minister has also put this demand several times. Bangladesh negotiation team has to clarify the nation why they have not upheld the position of the Prime Minister, in other word the position of Bangladesh in the conference.
Engineer Foyez Hossain said, developed and emerging countries in the name of their country realities ignoring the issues related to the survival of the MVCs. He has mentioned that compensation and liability, historical responsibilities, developed countries responsibility to provide climate finance, preferential treatment to MVCs and LDCs, have been completely wiped out from the draft agreement. Aminur Rasul Babul said, the target of global warming increasing rate has been fixed to 2 degree while IPCC predictions to keep the temperature 1.5 degree. By ignoring the demand of keeping the rate within 1.5 the whole world has been put into a great danger.
Zayed Iqbal Khan said, rich countries are seriously reluctant to take the liability of climate change. Liability and compensation issue from loss and damage discourse has been eliminated; it is due to the unprecedented pressure by US since the beginning with the passive support of other developed countries including EU. The whole world has become more vulnerable due one or two mighty countries!
Subal Sarkar said, this agreement is great symbol of injustice. It is said that, ‘all parties’ will take the resoonsibilities of financing. By this financial libaklities have been out alos the countrues who are not respond=sible for the cliamte change. There is no clear raodmao of moilizing the 100 billion dollar fund annually which was committed previously. Pradip Kumar Roy said, Banga;desh should reject the agremment and must be refrain to sign it.
//Coastal Bangladesh/14122015//
News Source: 14 December 2015, The Coastal Bangladesh