The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

An alliance of twenty rights organizations, led by EquityBD, condemned the EU for imposing conditionality to include the WB in the management of MDTF.

They criticized a recent statement of the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Stefan, while he suggested the World Bank to manage the country's Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) on a temporary basis.

They termed EU position on MDTF as neo-colonial as they have been consistently pushing Bangladesh to accept World Bank to manage the multi donor trust fund. The rights organizations expressed such views through organizing human chain and rally in front of the National Press Club. Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD moderated the rally while, among others, Prodip K Roy of Online Knowledge Center, Feroze Ahmed of Lead Trust, Shipra Das of Kishani Shova, Tusar Rehman of Citizen Rights Movement, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, and Md. Shamsuddoha of EquityBD spoke.

The organizations of the rights groups include; Arpon, AMKS, Eso, Bangladesh Krishak Federation, CSRL, EquityBD, Kishani Shova, Lead Trust, On line knowledge center, Potikrit, La via campesina, MFTD, Prantik, Purbasha, RCASV, Swadin Bangla Garments Sramik Federation, Solidarity Workshop, Sirajgonj Flood Forum, Uddipan and EquityBD.

Prodip K Roy of Online Knowledge Center mentioned that statement from the EU Ambassador and State Minister for Environment and Forest on the management of MDTF is contradictory, while Minister mentioned the government of Bangladesh will have sole authority over the fund.

Feroze Ahmed mentioned that, two third of the World Bank projects still on fossil fuel projects, which are causing carbon emission. Moreover most of the World Bank project in Bangladesh is failed project, so the WB should not be involved with any projects anymore.

Tusar Rehman mentioned that, Government must maintain sovereignty in climate fund and such a fund should be channelled through independent foundation.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD mentioned that their movement will continue till government will not finalize management modalities of MDTF.