ISLAMABAD: European Union has expressed concern about the human rights violations including suppression of the media. trial in military courts and the “crackdow” on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
In a video statement, EU Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka has said that the 27-member bloc is paying close attention to the “crackdown on the PTI” and its supporters in the aftermath of May 9 incidents in the country.
The EU ambassador’s comments came in a video statement regarding the extension of Pakistan’s GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences) Plus status. The EU envoy sad saying that the proposed extension of the current regulation for GSP Plus means no change for Pakistan and the country will receive the same trade preferences and access to European markets.
She added that Pakistan also “has the same obligations as before in terms of implementing the 27 international human rights conventions” and that the EU will “continue to monitor progress and report to the European Parliament”.
She emphasized EU would like to see more improvement by Pakistan in certain areas. This includes freedom of expression, freedom of media, freedom of religion and belief, situation of minorities, rights of women and gender equality labour rights, as well as the situation regarding the “crackdown on the PTI”.
She clarified that the proposed continuation of the extension of the current regulation is not only for Pakistan but applies to all eight beneficiary countries of GSP Plus.
She said the EU does not want to end trade preferences “which would affect Pakistani exporters, factory workers and their families, European businesses that rely on Pakistani suppliers, as well as European consumers”.
When speaking about the human rights monitoring, the EU ambassador expressed concern over the use of military courts and anti-terrorism courts to try those accused in the May 9 events.
She added that Pakistan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which ensures that every person has the right to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and also has the right to adequate legal representation.
PTI leader Hammad Azhar responded and said the GSP Plus status places “human rights and governance responsibilities on Pakistan”. He added that the EU ambassador had discussed freedom of the press, crackdown on PTI and military courts.
