The European Union has cautioned Pakistan that its duty-free access as a beneficiary under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) will only continue if it addresses concerns regarding labor and civil rights. The warning comes following a week-long visit to Islamabad by Olaf Skoog, the EU’s special representative for human rights. In a statement, the EU stated that the purpose of the visit was to discuss important issues such as human and labor rights and to engage with Pakistan on its initiatives to address these issues in the context of the GSP Plus scheme.
Pakistan was granted GSP Plus status in 2014, leading to a doubling of exports to European markets. The EU’s issued statement emphasized that Pakistan must make visible improvements in labor and civil rights to continue benefiting from the trade advantages. It underscored the importance of Pakistan staying on the path of reforms to sustain its GSP Plus status in the future.
During his meetings with Pakistani officials, Skoog highlighted several significant concerns, including blasphemy laws, women’s rights, forced marriages, forced religious conversions, enforced disappearances, freedom of expression, religious freedom, media independence, human rights, the right to fair and transparent judicial proceedings, civil liberties, and the death penalty. This development comes as Pakistan’s parliament recently passed a law criticized by opponents for stifling freedom of expression. The law, which came into effect following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval, grants the government the authority to impose heavy penalties on those spreading ‘false information’ on social media and to impose imprisonment as a punishment.
On Friday, journalists across Pakistan staged protests against this law, showing a determination to resist any legislation that curbs freedom of expression. International fraternity and human rights organizations continue to express concerns about government restrictions and human rights violations in Pakistan.
