Civil-society organisations yesterday urged policymakers to adopt a separate policy to protect the human rights of climate-affected communities.

They made the call at an event titled, "CSOs Call on Human Rights Day 2022: Respect, Promote and Consider Human Rights in all Climate Actions".

The event was held at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.

The programme was organised by the Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CRPD).

Shamsuddoha, executive director of CPRD, said CPRD in its research and investigation saw that climate change is creating obstacles for affected communities to access food, water, clothing, shelter, medical care and education.

Above all, the communities are being deprived of the right to live a quality life.

"Human rights of women who are financially weak or physically challenged are mostly violated," he added.

Shamsuddoha urged authorities to create a separate policy, which will treat the sufferings of climate victims as human-rights violations.

Khodeja Sultana Lopa, country director of Diakonia, said there is no longer any debate about climate change being a human-rights concern.

However, more research should be conducted on the issue of human-rights violation to minimise the loss and damage at the grassroots, she added.

Shahnawaz Whara from Regional Climate and Resilient Advocacy Manager at Practical Action and project coordinator of CPRD. spoke, among others.