Skip to content

Campaigning Wiki

5 min read

lang: en

Summary

From 2006 to 2014, indigenous peoples and local activists in Phulbari, Bangladesh, protested against an open pit coal mine proposed by Asia Energy Corporation. The campaign used marches, strikes, blockades, and international pressure to halt the project. By 2014, the Prime Minister stated that coal extraction would be left to future technology, effectively stopping the mine for the time being.

Background

Phulbari in northwest Bangladesh is an agricultural region with low-quality coal deposits. In 2005, Asia Energy Corporation proposed an open pit mine that would displace thousands of people, destroy farmland and homes, and divert water sources. The campaign aimed to stop the mine and protect the land and livelihoods of local communities, especially indigenous peoples.

What happened

On 26 August 2006, 50,000 people marched against the mine; paramilitary forces fired on them, killing three and injuring up to 200 [source: nv-database]. In response, protesters organized a four-day national strike that shut down the Dinajpur district, ending on 31 August when the government signed a six-point agreement banning open pit mining in Phulbari and excluding Asia Energy [source: nv-database]. Despite the agreement, the movement continued as the threat of mining persisted. [source: nv-database] In February 2007, local leader Mr. [source: nv-database] Nuruzuman was publicly tortured by the military [source: nv-database]. On 26 August 2008, a vigil honored the killed protesters, and 110 organizations worldwide signed letters to investors; in October, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, and Asian Development Bank sold their shares in GCM Plc [source: nv-database]. In March 2009, the government reported losing an expert committee report that found the mining agreement illegal [source: nv-database]. In October 2010, tens of thousands joined a 7-day, 250-mile march [source: nv-database]. On 28 February 2011, 2,000 protesters blockaded a highway demanding the government honor the 2006 agreement; the Rapid Action Battalion was deployed to intimidate protesters [source: nv-database]. In May 2011, government-backed attackers publicly broke the hands of a National Committee leader [source: nv-database]. On 20 October 2011, 80 international organizations sent letters to remaining investors [source: nv-database]. On 17 December 2011, London Mining Network protested outside GCM’s shareholders meeting, and activist Samina Luthfa presented an eviction notice to the chairman [source: nv-database]. On 28 February 2012, UN human rights experts advised the government not to start open pit mining [source: nv-database]. On 7 May 2012, police attacked demonstrators, injuring 15 [source: nv-database]. On 26 August 2012, thousands commemorated Phulbari Day [source: nv-database]. In November 2012, authorities imposed Section 144 banning gatherings of more than four; thousands broke through police barricades and declared a two-day general strike, halting trains and blocking roads [source: nv-database]. On 10 December 2012, government officials called approval of the mine ‘unlikely’ during their tenure [source: nv-database]. On 1 January 2013, protesters delivered an ultimatum to Asia Energy to vacate offices by 30 March [source: nv-database]. In January 2013, Polo Resources announced it was looking to sell its 30% stake [source: nv-database]. On 27 January 2013, a parliamentary committee accused GCM of lacking a valid deal since 2006 [source: nv-database]. In February 2013, GCM’s Finance Director resigned [source: nv-database]. On 6 February 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said coal extraction would be left to future technology, prioritizing food security and farmers’ land [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Professor Anu Muhammad
  • Mr. Nuruzuman
  • SMA Khaleque
  • Aminul Bablu
  • Joy Prakash Gupta
  • Shikder Sarker
  • Syed Saiful Islam Jewel
  • Murtoza Sharker Manik
  • Samina Luthfa
  • Asia Energy Corporation
  • Global Coal Management Plc
  • Bangladesh Power and Energy Ministry
  • National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, and Ports
  • Jatiya Gana Front
  • Samajtantrik Chhatra Front
  • London Mining Network
  • Cultural Survival
  • United Nations independent human rights experts
  • Phulbari Peshajibi Sangathan

Tactics used

The campaign combined mass protests, general strikes, and blockades with international letter-writing campaigns and shareholder activism to pressure both the government and investors. This multi-level approach created sustained pressure that forced the government to delay and ultimately halt the mine. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: partial.

The campaign achieved a partial victory: the mine was stopped for the time being, and the Prime Minister publicly prioritized food security over coal extraction. However, the threat of the mine has not been eliminated, and the campaign maintained its infrastructure throughout, though the number of international allies decreased from 110 to 80 organizations. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • Sustained nonviolent action combined with international solidarity can halt large-scale extractive projects.
  • Commemorating martyrs and maintaining annual days of action helps sustain movement momentum over many years.
  • Targeting investors and shareholders through letters and protests can lead to divestment and weaken corporate support.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

Graph View

Backlinks