The European Union is linking Pakistan’s access to European trading markets as a duty-free exporter to progress on the country’s “most pressing” human rights issues.
Olof Skoog, the EU’s special human rights envoy, issued a warning Friday following a weeklong visit to the South Asian nation, where authorities have faced increasing accusations of suppressing civil liberties, political dissent, and free speech.
“The trade benefits under [the human rights development plan known as] GSP+ depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential,” a post-visit EU statement quoted Skoog as saying.
He referred to the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, commonly known as GSP+, which grants developing countries, including Pakistan, tariff-free access to the EU market in exchange for its adherence to specific human and labor rights obligations.
The EU statement noted that its envoy highlighted areas of concern during meetings with Pakistani leaders, including blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances, freedom of expression, media independence, impunity for rights violations, due process, fair trials, civic space, and the death penalty.
“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,” Skoog stated.
The declaration noted that “Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+” since the implementation of the trading plan in 2014, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108%.
The EU envoy’s visit coincided with the swift passage of controversial amendments by Pakistan's parliament this week to cybercrime laws that critics warned would curtail freedom of speech, not only for the conventional media but also for social media users.
The legislation criminalizes the “intentional” spread of “false news” with prison terms of up to three years, a fine of up to $7,100, or both.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, accused of growing censorship, has defended the law, saying it is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.
Pakistani and international free media advocacy groups, along with human rights activists, have condemned the amended law and are calling for its immediate repeal.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that the law “threatens the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens and journalists while granting the government and security agencies sweeping powers to impose complete control over internet freedom in the country.”
