Representatives from 36 citizen and social organizations held a robust human chain demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday (October 16, 2026) to protest against exploitative global economic policies, demand rights for working people, and call for fair, grant-based compensation for climate-vulnerable nations instead of mounting debt.
The protest was jointly organized by Dhoritri Rokkhai Amra (DHRA), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, and 34 allied groups. The timing coincided with the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12 to 18.
Addressing the rally, Waterkeepers Bangladesh Research Head Md. Iqbal Faruk asserted that countries like Bangladesh bear the disproportionate brunt of climate catastrophes while onerous lender conditions compress citizens' fundamental rights. Bangladesh Krishak Federation President Badrul Alam noted that renewable energy currently accounts for only 2% of the country’s power mix, demanding a phased transition to 100% renewables. Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Coordinator Nikhil Chandra Bhadra emphasized that coastal populations are ravaged by salinity, water scarcity, and livelihood loss, demanding direct compensation rather than loans. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University researcher Mir Mohammad Ali pointed out that while Bangladesh’s historical carbon emissions stand at a mere 0.4%, agricultural output could plummet by 33% by 2050, displacing over 1.33 crore people. Farzana Urmi of Gorjan Samaj Kalyan Sangstha also spoke on protecting vulnerable fishermen and the Sundarbans ecosystem.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Staff Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
