Human chain demands fair rights for climate victims

SATKHIRA, July 16: Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team jointly formed a human chain in front of the main gate of Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park on Thursday morning, demanding fair rights for slum-dwellers displaced and affected by climate crisis in Satkhira.

Human rights activist Madhab Dutta chaired the programme. It was addressed by Green Coalition President Abu Affan Roz Babu, civic leader Siddiqur Rahman, landless leader Abdus Samad, BARCIK Programme Officer Gazi Mahida Mizan, Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team President Imti Jamil, Itagachha slum resident Jahanara Khatun, Rajar Bagan Rishipara slum resident Kumaresh Sardar and Kamalnagar slum resident Sumi Akhter. 

The speakers said that due to the climate change impact, natural disasters are frequently hitting the coastal areas. Along with cyclones and tidal waves, water-logging in the town is becoming more severe day by day. The coastal people are being forced to leave their land and take shelter in the slums. 

The speakers demanded the construction of sustainable embankments for the safety of life and property in the coastal areas and the elimination of the clean water crisis, eliminating water-logging and ensuring the fundamental rights of climate-affected people taking shelter in slums.