The European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog expressed to Pakistani authorities his concern on various issues related to human rights in the Asian country during a week-long visit that ended on Friday.
The European official’s trip took place in the course of the EU’s evaluation of Pakistan’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+) status, a trade scheme that encourages exports from developing countries by allowing them duty-free access to the bloc’s market.
In his meetings with Pakistani authorities, Skoog expressed particular concern on issues such as the application of blasphemy laws, women’s rights, forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, the EU delegation in Pakistan said in a statement.
He also highlighted “freedoms of expression, religion or belief, independence of the media, impunity for rights violations, due process and the right to a fair trial, civic space, and the death penalty” as other particularly fragile issues, the statement added.
Human rights compliance is essential for countries seeking to join or maintain the GSP+, since in exchange for export advantages, this system requires governments to ensure the implementation of all relevant international conventions.
In an interview with local media outlet Dawn, the EU envoy warned Pakistan not to take its GSP+ status for granted.
He also urged the government not to use military courts to pursue cases against civilians and opposed recent legislation restricting freedom of expression.
Last month, the EU expressed concern over the sentencing by military courts of 85 civilians – supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – to up to 10 years in prison in connection with attacks on military facilities in May 2023.
The approval by the Pakistani parliament of an amendment to the country’s cybercrime laws criminalizing the “intentional” spread of “false news,” has also sparked criticism within Pakistan, both by the PTI and journalists’ associations.
Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108 percent since the launch of the trade scheme in 2014, according to the EU’s statement
