Rights groups on Sunday demanded that Bangladesh should initiate necessary research and assessment as homework to strengthen the issue of climate migrants in the upcoming international climate negotiations.
They also demanded, which is also echoed by Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, that the definition of ‘UN Refugee’ should be redefined in view of present increasing nature of climate-forced migrants worldwide, especially in Bangladesh.
The demands were raised at a seminar titled ‘Climate Induced Migrants: Responsibilities in National and International Level’ held at the National Press Club.
Six rights groups and civil society networks—BAPA, BIPNetCCBD, CCDF, CSRL, CLEAN and EquityBD—organised the seminar where Hasan Mahmud spoke as the chief guest.
In his address, the minister, who has been leading Bangladesh delegation to international climate negotiations for last five years, admitted that, in fact, there was setback on climate migrants issue after 2010, which was first officially accepted in the Cancun climate agreement. But it has lost the momentum while countries reframe the timeline in the Durban agreement, i.e., new agreement should reach by 2015 and implementation after 2020.
He said Bangladesh Climate Change Strategic Action Plan would be revised and money allocation will be there for research on climate migrant’s issue.
The minister mentioned that the developed countries have to take responsibilities of the climate-induced migrants and the definition of the UN refugee has to be revisited to accommodate them.
Qumrul Isalm Chowdhury of BEJF said Bangladesh delegation must demand a solid work programme on climate-migrants issue in next Poland conference so that there is some agreements in Paris during 2015.
Dr Ahsanuddin of CGC cited a case from New Zealand showing how a climate migrant family from a pacific small island demand climate migrant rights in that developed countries.
He said Bangladesh must tell the developed world that within its limited capacities the country is spending almost $1 billion per year for safety net programme.
Golam Rabbani of BCAS said without preparing and implementing a national programme on climate migrants, Bangladesh claim in the international level will be weak.
Zakia Haque of Oxfam_CSRL mentioned that European Union and Oxfam in fact supporting both Bangladesh government and also civil society to strengthen their voice in international level.
Moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Motahar Hossain of BCCJF, Mizanur Rahman of NCCB, Progoti Chakma of BIPNetCCBD and Badrul Alam of Krishok Federation.
Hasan Mehedi of Humanity Watch presented the keynote presentation at the seminar. —UNB