BRUSSELS: The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for a review of Pakistan GSP+ status in view of an “alarming” increase in laws that it sees as discriminatory towards minorities and fundamental rights.
The resolution, presented by Renew Europe, a liberal, pro-European political group, was adopted unanimously with 681 Member of European Parliaments (MEPs) voting in favor of this resolution while 3 against it.
The resolution also called on the Government of Pakistan to “unequivocally condemn” incitement to violence and discrimination against religious minorities in the country, and expresses deep concern at the prevailing anti-French sentiment in Pakistan.
The EU Parliament calls for a review of Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of current events and whether there is sufficient reason to initiate a procedure for the temporary withdrawal of this status.
Member of European Parliament (MEP) Charlie Weimers of Sweden in his speech cited various incidents of members of religious minorities killed or imprisoned in Pakistan over accusations of blasphemy.
“Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, rather than defend his citizens’ human rights against false accusers, equated denial of the Holocaust and genocide to criticism of Islam’s Prophet (PBUH),” he said.
Responding to the resolution, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said, “It is unfortunate that the co-sponsor of the EU’s anti-Pakistan resolution was a member of a party that the Swedish PM Stefan Lofven referred to as ‘a neo-fascist single-issue party’ with ‘Nazi and racist roots’.”
The GSP+ is a special component of the GSP scheme that provides additional trade incentives to developing countries already benefitting from GSP. The GSP+ status granted to Pakistan requires the country to demonstrate progress on the implementation of 27 international core conventions.
