22 June 2021
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To
The Chinese Authorities, Sponsors, Contractors, Financiers, Equipment Suppliers, Technology Supporters, Consultants and their shareholders
We, the undersigned 130 individuals and 74 organizations from 21 countries including Bangladesh, call upon your institution to immediately withdraw and end provision of finance and technical support for the SS Power I Ltd. (hereinafter ‘Banshkhali Power Plant’) Chattogram, Bangladesh. We also call upon all companies involved to withdraw from the project.
Banshkhali coal-fired power plant is a joint venture of S. Alam Group of Bangladesh (70%), Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III (20%) and HTG Development Group Co. Ltd. (10%). 71% of the project cost (USD 1.76 bn) is financed by a consortium of Chinese Banks including the Bank of China as the lead arranger and the Export-Import Bank of China being the export credit agency. Your institution is also involved with the project and providing financial and technical support, among others.
The involvement is contrary to President Xi Jinping’s speech at the second Belt and Road Forum in 2019 where he said ”We need to pursue open, green and clean cooperation. ...We may launch green infrastructure projects, make green investments and provide green financing to protect the Earth which we all call home” [1]. In Feb 2021, Economic and Commercial Counselor (ECCO) of China in Bangladesh sent a letter to the Bangladesh's Ministry of Finance stating that “the Chinese side shall no longer consider projects with high pollution and high energy consumption, such as coal mining and coal-fired power stations”. We welcome China’s decision not to fund new coal projects in Bangladesh which is clearly a step forward to fulfilling the promise of a green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) [2].
A Blood-coloured BRI project
Since the beginning of the project in 2016, 12 people have lost their lives, more than 100 got injured and harassment cases have been filed against over 6000 workers and villagers in three different incidents around this power plant. Local people consider the project a curse for themselves as not only lives were lost but at least 10,000 people have been affected by the losses of homesteads and farmland because of this project [3]. Involvement of the Chinese financiers and technology companies with this project makes it a controversial BRI project.
The project has been marred by lack of transparency, irregularities and rampant human rights violation since its inception. Lead sponsor S. Alam group evicted thousands of local residents and they were not paid a single penny for their land [4]. Those who refused to give up their land were harassed with fake lawsuits. S Alam acquired several times more land than the actual 640 acres of project area using their muscle and mobsters [5]. Poor villagers are the most sufferers after losing their last means of earnings because in the name of the power plant, their paddy land, fish farms, and salt fields have been grabbed [6].
Serious Health Risks
Banshkhali power plant will be extremely harmful to the public health in the area. According to estimates, the coal power project will emit 192,200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide) over its operating lifetime [7]. It is estimated that the proposed coal power projects in Chattogram including Banshkhali will risk the premature death of more than 30,000 people due to air pollution related to respiratory and heart diseases, among others [8].
An Environmental Nightmare
A recent independent analysis of the Banshkhali EIA shows that it contains errors and omissions which raises legal questions [9]. There is absolutely no mention of the health impacts of air pollutant emissions in the EIA; the plant’s mercury emissions are completely omitted; and, the air quality modeling is flawed, Moreover, the project plans to apply very weak emissions standards, which would not be allowed even in China, and the flaws and omissions in the EIA help justify this. The ongoing construction itself creates a permanent waterlogging over a large area of the adjoining villages [10].
Intensifying Climate Crisis
China has ratified the Paris agreement, which requires efforts to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degree Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels. The Paris climate target cannot be achieved unless coal-fired power generation is phased out worldwide by 2040, including the retirement of existing coal power plants [11]. As a member of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Bangladesh is also committed to achieve 100% renewables by 2050 [12].
China's measures for foreign investment
According to article 20 of the newly revised Measures for Foreign Investment Management (issued by MOFCOM in 2014), "enterprises should abide by domestic and overseas laws and regulations, respect local customs, fulfill social responsibilities, do a good job in such areas as environment and labor protection, staff training and the construction of enterprise culture” [13]. According to article 43 of the Measures for the Administration of Outbound Investment by Enterprises of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC): in the process of overseas investment, when there is any fatal accident, heavy loss of overseas assets or any serious adverse circumstance impairing the diplomatic relations of China and the host country, the investor shall submit a report form of serious adverse circumstance through the network system within five working days from the date of occurrence of the accident [14]. We demand you to get aligned with those Chinese measures for foreign investment, and respond to our following demands.
We demand:
- Withdraw all involvement of your institution from the Banshkhali coal power project.
- Investigate the issues in relation with human rights violation and erroneous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Ensure adequate compensation and rehabilitation of the dead and injured workers and the affected villagers.
- Without exceptions, cancel all ongoing and future investments in fossil fuel including coal, oil and gas.
- We hope you will reconsider your decision of financial and technical support for the Banshkhali power project and show your commitment towards a green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by respecting human and environmental rights, not a blood and tear-spilled one.
Signed by:
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- Advocate Sultana Kamal, President, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA), Bangladesh
- Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Health Rights Activist and Trustee, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Bangladesh
- Dr. Hameeda Hossain, Founder member, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh
- Khushi Kabir, Coordinator, Nijera Kori, Bangladesh
- Anu Muhammad, Professor, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
- Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Chief Executive, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh
- Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Bangladesh
- Shamsul Huda, Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Bangladesh
- Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Bangladesh
- Dr. Shahidul Alam, Managing Director, Drik, Bangladesh
- Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator, Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), Philippines
- Ruhin Hossain Prince, Secretary, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh
- Alfredo Quarto, Executive Director, Mangrove Action Project (MAP), Bangladesh
- Shireen Pervin Huq, Human Rights and Women Movement Activist, Bangladesh
- Rayyan Hassan, Executive Director, NGO Forum on ADB, Philippines
- Perween Hasan, Vice Chancellor, Central Women's University, Bangladesh
- Bibek Ranjan, Secretary, Communist Party of India (ML) Red Star, India
- Shahnaz Huda, Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Takayoshi Yokoyama, Activist, 350.org Japan
- Sharif Jamil, Coordinator, Waterkeepers Bangladesh
- Tom Weerachat, Global Lead on Community-led Advocacy, International Accountability Project (IAP), United States
- Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Susanne Wong, Senior Campaigner, Oil Change International (OCI), United States
- Mirza Taslima Sultana, Professor, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
- Debendra Adhikari, South Asia Programme Manager, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Nepal
- Omar Tarek Chowdhury, Author & Translator, Bangladesh
- David Hillman, Director, Stamp Out Poverty, United Kingdom
- Robaet Ferdous, Professor, Mass Communication & Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Heffa Schuecking, Director, Urgewald, Germany
- Zobaida Nasreen, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Deepa Sonpal, Independent Activist, India
- Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
- Knud Voecking, Director, IFI Program, Urgewald, Germany
- Qazi Zahed Iqbal, Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
- Kate Geary, Co-Director, Recourse, Netherlands
- Asif Nazrul, Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Pieter Jansen, Policy Lead, Both ENDS, Netherlands
- M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chief Moderator, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD)
- Anuradha Chenoy, Retired. Professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
- Sayema Khatun, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
- Vidya Dinker, President, INSAF (Indian Social Action Forum), India
- Nasrin Khandokar, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
- Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, National Coordinator, WomanHealth Philippines
- Nova Ahmed, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, North South University, Bangladesh
- Muhammad Reza Sahib, Coordinator, KRuHA (People's Coalition for the Right to Water), Indonesia
- Sharmeen Murshid, Executive Director, Brotee Samaj Kallyan Sangstha, Bangladesh
- Soumya Dutta, Co-convener, South Asian People's Action on Climate Crisis (SAPACC), India
- Shamsher Ali, Member, Life and Nature Safeguard Platform (LNSP), Bangladesh
- Susan Tagle, Coordinator, Asian Energy Network (AEN), Philippines
- S M Nazer Hossain, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Social Development Effort (ISDE) Bangladesh
- Nusrat S. Chowdhury, Professor, Department of Anthropology, Amherst College, United States
- Gouranga Nandy, Chairperson, Center for Environment and Participatory Research (CEPR), Bangladesh
- Saeed Baloch, Senior Vice Chairperson, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), Pakistan
- Vanmala Hiranandani, Independent Activist, Denmark
- Maha Mirza, Independent Researcher and Human Rights Activist, Bangladesh
- Eugene Simonov, Coordinator, Rivers without Boundaries, China
- Arifuzzaman Tuhin, Senior Reporter, the Daily Desh Rupantor, Bangladesh
- Shibayan Raha, Senior Digital Organiser, 350.org Asia
- Sekender Ali Mina Sumon, Executive Director, Safety and Rights Society (SRS), Bangladesh
- Rajesh Kumar, Activist, Centre for financial Accountability (CFA), India
- Sharowat Shamin, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Sreedhar Ramamurthi, Managing Trustee, Environics Trust, India
- Syed Aminul Hoque, Director, Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD), Bangladesh
- Sushovan Dhar, IC Member, Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt (CADTM), Belgium
- Henrieke Butijn, Climate Campaigner, BankTrack, Netherlands
- Shahid Ullah, Executive Director, Jana Adhayan Kendra (JAK), Bangladesh
- Yuki Tanabe, Program Director, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), Japan
- Abdullah Al Noman, Coordinator, Lawyers For Energy, Environment and Development (LEED), Bangladesh
- Cheryl Desmond, President, Servicios Ecumenicos para Reconciliacion y Reconstruccion (SERR), United States
- Sankha Subhra Biswas, Coordinator, Collective for Economic Justice (CEJ), India
- Dina M. Siddiqi, Clinical Associate Professor, Global Liberal Studies, New York University, United States
- Mohammad Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Bangladesh
- Aryamitra Maheshkar, Founder Member, Aryanand Social Work Forum, India
- Aminuzzaman Milon, Executive Director, Bandhan, Bangladesh
- Vinod Chandra Sonera, Trustee, Nirman: an Initiative for Sustainable Development, India
- Sazia Sharmin, Research Coordinator, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Bangladesh
- Natesh Ullal, Member, Growthwatch, India
- Tauhedul Islam Shahazada, Executive Director, Prantojon, Bangladesh
- Henry Nyapokoto, Programmes Manager, Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), Zimbabwe
- Rashed Ripon, Executive Director, Paribartan-Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Hana Shams Ahmed, Department of Anthropology, York University, Canada
- Amal Akash, Artist & Cultural Activist, Samageet, Bangladesh
- Nanda Maheshkar, Chairperson, Aryanand Social Work Forum, India
- Rebeka Neela, Teacher & Cultural Activist, Samageet, Bangladesh
- Mustafa Mirani, Chairperson, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), Pakistan
- Sheikh Mohd. Noor Alam, Convener, Mongla Nagorik Samaj, Bangladesh
- Eri Watanabe, Finance Campaigner, 350.org, Japan
- Nasrin Siraj, Researcher, Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands
- Kiran Kalindi, Secretary, Progressive Plantation Workers Union (PPWU), India
- Bithi Ghosh, Teacher & Cultural Activist, Samageet, Bangladesh
- Agnes Kharshiing, President, Civil Society Women's Organization (CSWO), India
- F.M. Anwar Hossain, Chief Executive, Greenfield Livelihood and Services (GLS), Bangladesh
- Richard Solly, Coordinator, London Mining Network (LMN), United Kingdom
- Quazi Iqbal Bahar Sabery, Executive Director, Center for Rural Child Development (CRCD), Bangladesh
- Keiko Kubo, Activist, Servicios Ecumenicos para Reconciliacion y Reconstruccion (SERR), United States
- Nora Sausmikat, Sinologist, Urgewald, Germany
- Bareesh Chowdhury, Research Lawyer, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh
- Julia Fish, Coordinator, Fund Our Future, South Africa
- Mohammad Shahjahan, Deputy Director, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), Bangladesh
- Saswati Swetlena, National Coordinator, Mineral Inheritors Rights Association, India
- Mahbub Alam Prince, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network), Bangladesh
- Juthy Nujahat, Campaigner, Phulbari Solidarity Group (PSG), United Kingdom
- Fazlur Rahman, Executive Director, Society for Participatory Education and Development (SPED), Bangladesh
- Mohit Ranadip, Executive Member, Aamra Ek Sachetan Prayas, India
- Kamrun Nahar, Staff Reporter, the Financial Express, Bangladesh
- Tonny Nowshin, Activist, Degrowth and Climate Justice Movement, Germany
- Sohanur Rahman, Coordinator, YouthNet for Climate Justice, Bangladesh
- Farha Shah, Organizer, Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), India
- Jannatul Mouwa, Executive Director, Bindu Nari Unnayan Sangathan, Bangladesh
- Farjana Aktar, Researcher, Stockholm University, Sweden
- Imran Hossain, District Coordinator, Youthnet for Climate Justice, Bangladesh
- Apo Leong, Chair, Hong Kong Social Security Society (HKSSS), Hong Kong
- Silvanus Kisku Milon, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh
- Poeun Kao, Program Coordinator, Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), Cambodia
- Shadman Khalili, Research Associate, Change Initiative, Bangladesh
- Ha Van Thu, Programme Coordinator, Asia Monitor Resource Centre, Thailand
- Towhidul Islam Opu, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
- Wanun Permpibul, Executive Director, Climate Watch Thailand
- Wokeya Yesmin Farha, Research Assistant, Change Initiative, Bangladesh
- Geetha Lakmini Fernando, National Coordinator, We Women Lanka, Sri Lanka
- Anik Saha Majumder, Committee Member, Volunteers for Bangladesh
- Bach Dang Dinh, Director, Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Center (LPSD), Vietnam
- Farjana Akter, Khulna University for Engineering and Technology (KUET), Bangladesh
- Sachin Chavan, Independent Activist, India
- M. Aamanur Rahman, Vice President, Democratic Budget Movement (DBM), Bangladesh
- Natalie Lowrey, Campaign Coordinator, AID/Watch, Australia
- Tessa Khan, Director, Uplift, United Kingdom
- Sarmin Akter Bristy, Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh
- Soumya Sahin, Coordinator, Prantojon, India
- Hasan Mehedi, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED), Bangladesh
Information Sources
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- Business Standard (2019). "Belt & Road Initiative, not an exclusive club, must benefit all: Xi Jinping". The Business Standard: 27 April 2019. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bri-should-follow-global-norms-and-benefit-all-says-chinese-president-xi-119042700200_1.html accessed on 17 May 2020
- FT (2021). "China turns its back on Bangladesh BRI coal projects". The Financial Times: 11 March 2021. Archived: https://energy-archive.blogspot.com/2021/05/china-turns-its-back-on-bangladesh-bri.html
- TBS (2021). “Banshkhali coal power plant a 'curse' for villagers”. The Business Standard (TBS): 21 April 2021. Archived: https://energy-archive.blogspot.com/2021/04/banshkhali-coal-power-plant-curse-for.html
- Mustafa, Kallol (2016). "Banshkhali Coal Power Plant Propaganda and Reality". The Daily Star: 13 April 2016. Archived: https://energy-archive.blogspot.com/2020/12/banshkhali-coal-power-plant-propaganda.html
- Chowdhury, Mitoon (2016). "Fear for losing houses, jobs ignites Banshkhali protests". The Bdnews24.com: 5 April 2016. Archived: https://energy-archive.blogspot.com/2021/04/fear-for-losing-houses-jobs-ignites.html
- Rahman, Mowdud (2017). "Coal aggression and civil disobedience". The NewAge: 17 December 2017. Archived: https://energy-archive.blogspot.com/2021/01/coal-aggression-and-civil-disobedience.html
- According to estimates by "Global Coal Plant Tracker," Global Energy Monitor, January 2021
- https://energyandcleanair.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Chattogram-coal-power-cluster.pdf
- https://energyandcleanair.org/major-flaws-in-banskhali-eia/
- TBS (2021). ibid.
- IEA (2021). Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector. International Energy Agency. Link: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/0716bb9a-6138-4918-8023-cb24caa47794/NetZeroby2050-ARoadmapfortheGlobalEnergySector.pdf
- CVF (2016). "The Marrakech Communique". The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Marrakech: 18 November 2016. Retrieved from https://thecvf.org/activities/program/declarations/marrakech-communique/ accessed on 17 May 2021
- http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/newsrelease/policyreleasing/201409/20140900731551.shtml
- http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/b/g/201803/20180302719303.shtml
