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An anti-globalisation group voiced some demands at a rally in the city Monday for inclusion in the decision-making process during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting this month.
The demands are: Keeping people's right above all treaties, thwarting individual ownership of water and life-assets, assurance of food sovereignty, establishment of farmer's rights to seed, land and water, no patent on life, eradication of destitution and poverty, ensuring global health, stopping of all kinds of oppression against women, and ensuring labourers' rights.
'In any way we've to thwart the aggressive move of world leaders ahead of the next WTO ministerial meeting scheduled to be held in Hong Kong this month,' said ActionAid acting director Shahamin S Zaman while speaking at the gathering.
They called for taking no decision, which can pose a threat to a state's sovereignty, and changing the mindset of capturing the natural assets in the name of market liberalisation and globalisation.
The public gathering, organised under the banner of 'People's Caravan for Justice and Sovereignty of Bangladesh,' was jointly organised by Food Sovereignty Network, People's Alliance for Food Sovereignty and Nayakrishi Andolon.
People from 50 districts representing many organisations joined the rally. Gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar, they brought out a procession.
ActionAid adviser Zakaria said, "The decision from such a type of WTO ministerial meeting normally goes against the interest of the poor people so it is our duty to protest vehemently."
Many organisations including ActionAid-Bangladesh, People's Empowerment Trust, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Community Development Centre, Organisation for the Poor Community Advance, Social Development Program, Society for Economic and Basic Administration, Food Sovereignty Network and Alliance for Food Sovereignty Campaign participated in the rally.
Activists of different NGOs also spoke at the gathering.
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