EU to 'reassess' trade ties with Pakistan over human rights violations, blasphemy laws

European Union (EU) on Wednesday, Sept. 8 announced that it will conduct immediate ‘reassessment’ of EU-Pakistan tre agreements reached in January 2014, ending Souast Asian nation’s eligibility for Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) status, ANI reported, citing Pakistan newspaper Dawn. EU criticised Pakistan’s inability to curb human rights violations within country as reason for it to reconsider bilateral tre ties. Pakistan has been widely condemned for its draconian blasphemy laws and for not implementing EU’s joint motion for a resolution that urged Islamic Republic to opt for a more comprehensive approach to dress humanitarian abuses committed under Blasphemy laws. 

Pakistan recently charged an eight-year-old Hindu child under controversial law and held him in police custody. child was “falsely indulged in se matters,” family h reportedly said.  Blasphemy law in Pakistan has been disproportionately used to exploit those who hold religious freedom and to incite harassment, violence, and murder unjustly on accused. People charged with blasphemy flee due to threats to ir lives regardless of outcome of judicial procedures.

Pakistan’s Blasphemy laws are often abused to serve in interest of accuser. EU h condemned Pakistan for case of Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel, who have been on death row since 2014 for allegedly sending ‘blasphemous’ text messages. This led to appeals to European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) to “immediately review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in light of current events”.

Pak benefited from generous tariff, no improvement in human rights situation

As per EU-Pakistan tre regime, goods from developing Asian nation are allowed to enter bloc with an exemption to import duties. Pakistan’s annual tre with EU has recently jumped from Euro 4.538 billion to Euro 7.492 billion, an estimated  65 percent making EU Pakistan’s key tre and economy partner. In 2020, Pakistan’s export to EU, from majorly textile and clothing industry, stood at 28 percent of country's total export. EU's 3rd Biennial Assessment of GSP, published in 2020 called into question status quo of country's GSP+ benefits. A Joint Motion for a Resolution, backed by all major global political groups, and MEPs, pushed EU to conduct an immediate review of Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status, and a decision of withdrawal was reached. 

“From January 1, 2014, Pakistan has benefited from generous tariff preferences (mostly zero duties on two-thirds of all product categories) under so-called GSP+ arrangement aiming to support sustainable development and good governance,” declassified report published by EU re. It ds that Pakistan was obliged to ratify and effectively implement 27 core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance but failed to fulfill its commitment. “Abuse of Blasphemy Laws in Islamab is a major concern,” EU’s political report alleged.