- We encourage Pakistan to continue its reform path: Skoog
- Recognizes an important role in the Human Rights Commission.
- Calls the chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, in Lahore.
Islamabad: In the midst of a continuous evaluation within the framework of the GSP +commercial regime, the EU Special Ambassador representing for human rights (EUSR), Olof Skoog, underlined the progress of the fight against A range of questions in Pakistan, including human rights, in order to draw the advantages of GSP +status.
The best EU diplomat made this statement during a week -long visit to Pakistan when the EU’s mission arrived in the Federal capital in order to engage Pakistan on the most urgent issues human rights and labor rights and discussing Pakistan’s plans to remedy it, according to a press release from the EU.
During his visit, Ambassador Skoog held meetings with the ministers of the federal and provincial government, military leaders, senior officials, United Nations bodies, defenders and human rights lawyers, Civil society organizations, media representatives and the business sector.
The special representative reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to support Pakistan to comply with its human rights obligations and, in this regard, encouraged diligent efforts and significant consultations with all stakeholders, including dynamic civil society of the country.
“Pakistan remains a key partner for the EU in South Asia. Our relationship is based on the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international standards. The EU welcomes the fact that Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP +, Pakistani companies increasing their exports to the EU market by 108% since the launch of the commercial program in 2014.
“While we are approaching the mid-term of the current surveillance cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue its reform path while it is preparing for reapplication within the framework of the new GSP +regulations. The advantages under the GSP + depend on the progress made by addressing a list of questions, including human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential, “he said.
During meetings with the higher interlocutors of Pakistan, in particular the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar, the Federal Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar and the Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Ambassador Skoog highlighted the areas of concern such as the application of Blasphemyy the laws, women’s rights, marriages and forced conversions, imposed disappearances, freedoms of expression, religion or the Belief, media independence, impunity for rights violations, regular procedure and the right to a fair trial, civic space and death penalty.
During the meeting with the chief judge of the Pakistani judge Yahya Afridi, the emphasis was placed on the judicial backwards as well as on the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
Throughout its visit, EUSR recognized the important role of the National Commission for Human Rights and stressed the need to preserve its independence.
In the context of the next GSP +surveillance mission, EUSR has 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 the main stakeholders, notably the chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the Minister of Minorities in Punjab Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, as well as representatives of other confessions. Discussions focused on freedom of religion or belief, the protection of the rights of minorities and the responsibility of violations and abuse of human rights.
The special representative contributes to the implementation of the EU policy on human rights worldwide as well as to promote compliance with international humanitarian law and to support international criminal justice, A added the press release.