Commercial benefits to GSP+ associated with human rights progress: EU Top Envoy

• We encourage Pakistan to continue its reform course: Skoog
• Recognizes the important role of the Human Rights Committee.
• Invites head Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz to Lahore.

ISLAMABAD: In the midst of a continuous evaluation under the GSP+trade plan, EU ambassador for the EU for Human Rights (EUSR), Olof Skoog, underlined progress in addressing a series of issues in Pakistan, including human rights, in order to address a series of issues in Pakistan benefited from GSP+.

The EU’s leading diplomat made this statement during a weekly visit to Pakistan, as the EU mission reached the federal capital in order to participate in Pakistan in the most pressing human rights and labor rights and discussing Pakistan’s plans for Pakistan. their treatment, according to an EU press release.

During his visit, Ambassador Skoog held meetings with federal and provincial government ministers, military leadership, senior officials, United Nations Organizations, Human Rights Defenders Media representatives and business sector.

The Special Representative has confirmed the EU’s commitment to support Pakistan to fulfill its human rights obligations and, encourages diligent efforts and substantive consultations with all interested parties, including living civil society.

“Pakistan remains a key EU associate in South Asia. Our relationship is based on the common values ​​of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, guided by the principles of the Charter and the United Nations International Rules. The EU welcomes the fact that Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+, with Pakistani companies increasing their exports to the EU market by 108% since the commercial system in 2014.

“As we approach the middle of the current tracking cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue its reform course as it prepares for the review under the upcoming new SAP+. List of issues, including human rights, and tangible reforms remain necessary, “he said.

At meetings with Pakistan’s senior interlocutors, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Kamal , women’s rights, forced marriages and conversions, the imposed disappearances, the freedoms of expression, the religion or the faith, the independence of the media, the impunity of rights violations, the fair procedure and the right to fair trial, The site of the citizens and the death penalty.

At the meeting with Pakistani’s leader Yahya Afridi, the focus was the judicial delay as well as the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Throughout his visit, EUSR recognized the important role of the National Rights Commission and underlined the need to maintain its independence.

In the context of the upcoming Mission of Monitoring of the SAP+, EUSR encouraged the Pakistani authorities to ensure the implementation of all relevant international conventions.

As part of his route, the ambassador also visited Lahore to meet with basic stakeholders, including chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and minister of minorities at Punjab Sardar Ramesh Singh Arara, as well as representatives of other religions. The discussions focused on freedom of religion or belief, the protection of minorities’ rights and accountability for violations and abuses of human rights.

The Special Representative contributes to the implementation of the EU human rights policy worldwide, as well as to promote compliance with international humanitarian law and supporting international criminal justice, the press release added.