EU to Scrutinize Pakistan’s Human Rights Record Amid Trade Discussions
The European Union is set to closely examine Pakistan’s adherence to human rights standards as part of a periodic review of its eligibility for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a trade program offering preferential terms. Activists have called on the EU to address widespread human rights abuses in Pakistan, especially the persecution of religious minorities.
This EU mission will assess Pakistan’s performance in implementing 27 United Nations conventions linked to the GSP+, which aims to promote “sustainable development and good governance” by eliminating or reducing export duties for participating countries.
With GSP+ status since 2014, Pakistan has seen its textile exports to the EU double, a direct result of lowered trade barriers. To maintain these benefits, nations must uphold international standards concerning human rights, labor rights, governance, and environmental protection.
Initially scheduled for June but postponed due to geopolitical conflicts, the EU mission will engage with various stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, and human rights organizations. The purpose is to evaluate Pakistan’s compliance with the conventions.
Akmal Bhatti, Chairman of Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP), criticized the Pakistani government for failing to protect fundamental rights. He highlighted ongoing discrimination against religious minorities, particularly Christians, who face institutional persecution. “The blasphemy law continues to be misused,” Bhatti told Christian Daily International, noting a “nexus” between false allegations and state institutions.
Bhatti also mentioned the government’s inadequate response to violent attacks against Christians in Jaranwala, Punjab Province, in August 2023. Although measures have been taken against the extremist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), key leaders responsible for the violence remain unapprehended.
Furthermore, Bhatti criticized the Punjab government for not advancing legislation to criminalize child marriages, despite the bill’s introduction in April 2024. He advocates for laws against forced faith conversions and raising the legal marriage age to 18 as preventive measures.
Another pressing issue is the demand for electoral reforms that would allow religious minorities to elect their representatives. Bhatti argues for the removal of constitutional restrictions that bar non-Muslims from holding the offices of president and prime minister.
Aslam Pervaiz Sahotra, Chairman of the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party, expressed similar concerns, asserting that the human rights situation has deteriorated. “Continuing to extend trade benefits despite ongoing rights violations sends a dangerous message,” Sahotra stated, urging the EU to uphold its principles of accountability and justice.
In a recent interview with Dawn News, EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis emphasized the need for Pakistan to show substantive progress in its international commitments to retain GSP+ status. The EU review will focus on areas such as minority protections, the death penalty, blasphemy laws, and women’s rights, among others.
Particularly concerning for the EU is the issue of enforced disappearances. While a commission has been established to investigate these cases, the EU mission will evaluate the effectiveness of these mechanisms.
Pakistan’s GSP+ status, renewed until 2027, has yielded economic benefits, with export earnings to the EU rising to $3.17 billion from July to October, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Countries granted GSP+ status must continually demonstrate adherence to the 27 conventions, with regular reviews and public reporting to the EU.
The EU has identified 13 key areas for monitoring, including enforced disappearances, torture prevention, and freedom of expression, to ensure compliance with international standards.
© Christian Daily International
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
