Islamabad, Jan 31: The European Union (EU) has issued a stern warning to Pakistan regarding its Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, urging the country not to take the preferential trade benefits for granted. Olof Skoog, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, has emphasized the importance of addressing critical human rights issues during his ongoing visit to Pakistan.
The GSP+ status, which grants Pakistan duty-free access to EU markets, is contingent on Pakistan’s adherence to international human rights commitments, and the EU has expressed concerns over recent developments that may jeopardize this relationship.
One of the key points raised by Mr. Skoog is Pakistan’s increasing use of military courts to try civilians, a move that contradicts the obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The EU opposes military trials for civilians and insists that civilian courts should handle such cases.
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This concern gained traction after the May 9th protests, when riots erupted following the arrest of PTI leader Imran Khan, leading to several civilian trials in military courts. Mr. Skoog reaffirmed that the EU’s position remains clear: military courts should not be used in cases involving civilians.
Another significant issue is the restriction of freedom of expression in Pakistan.
The EU has raised alarms over recent amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws, which many see as a means to curb dissent and criticism of political authorities.
Mr. Skoog stated that some speech restrictions are understandable, but they should not silence political opposition or media criticism. He emphasized that we must safeguard freedom of expression with minimal restrictions, ensuring they don’t protect politicians or government officials from scrutiny.
These concerns are central to the EU’s ongoing dialogue with Pakistan, and Mr. Skoog’s visit aims to gauge Pakistan’s efforts to address these issues ahead of the GSP+ monitoring mission in June 2025. The EU’s continued support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status hinges on the country’s commitment to improving human rights conditions, including labor rights, the abolition of the death penalty, and ensuring fair trials for those detained without proper legal processes.
With Pakistan heavily reliant on GSP+ for its economic growth, the EU’s warnings signal the need for serious reforms. The government must take proactive steps to align with international human rights standards to secure continued access to EU markets and avoid the potential loss of these valuable trade privileges.
