Published:  12:00 AM, 15 December 2015

Human chain protesting Paris climate pact held in city

Human chain protesting Paris climate pact held in city Twenty-four civil society organizations formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club in the city on Monday demanding resignation of the Forest and Environment Minister for failing to uphold the interest of the country in the Paris Climate Conference
A group of rights-based civil society organizations (CSOs) demanded resignation of the Forest and Environment Minister for, what they said, "Failing to uphold the interest of the country in the Paris Climate Conference".
Twenty-four organizations made this demand from a human chain organized in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Monday.
They also mentioned that, during the conference there was no coordination among the delegations, no access for CSOs and media formally accommodated in Bangladesh delegation. Minister's speech in the press conference and sessions were always contradictory and confusing which hardly gave space to other members of the delegation, they alleged.
The human chain titled, 'Paris Climate Agreement: We have been made slave!' was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akand of EquityBD.
Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara Trust, Engineer Foyez Hossain of Jatiyo 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 spoke. 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, the written statement read out at the event on behalf of the organizers, asked.
Engineer Foyez Hossain said, developed and emerging countries in the name of their country realities ignored the issues related to the survival of the Most Vulnerable Countries (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.
The target of global warming increasing rate has been fixed to 2 degrees while the IPCC suggestion was 1.5 degrees. By ignoring the demand of keeping the rate within 1.5 the whole world has been put into a great danger, Aminur Rasul said.
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.  There is no clear road map for mobilizing the 100 billion dollar fund annually which was committed previously, Subal Sarkar said.
Pradip Kumar Roy said, Bangladesh should reject the agreement and must refrain from signing it.



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