EU warns Pakistan its preferential trade status is in peril over failure to address human rights

Pakistan’s preferential trade status could be jeopardized if it fails to address human rights concerns, including controversial blasphemy laws, forced marriages and conversions of religious minority girls, and freedom of religion, a European Union (EU) delegation said on Friday.

The delegation, led by EU Special Representative on Human Rights Olof Skoog, warned in a press statement that Pakistan should not take its Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status for granted. The delegation noted that Pakistan’s trade benefits depend on progress made in addressing concerns about human rights, which also include freedom of expression.

“As we approach the midterm of the current monitoring cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue on its reform path as it prepares for reapplication under the upcoming new GSP+ regulation,” the EU delegation stated. “The trade benefits under GSP+ depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential.”

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