EU seeks laws against human rights issues in Pakistan

Islamabad : The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who paid a three-day visit to Pakistan, have called for timely reforms and legislative changes on human rights issues including enforced disappearances and blasphemy cases.From September 19 to 21, MEPs from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) visited Pakistan.”In other meetings, MEPs focused on the human rights situation against the backdrop of the final round of EU monitoring of Pakistan’s preferential trade access to the EU market under the GSP+ scheme for 2014-2033 and its preparations for an application to the next GSP system to be determined in 2024,” the European Commission said in a statement.The commission said the EU is Pakistan’s most important export market and as a major “GSP+” country, it has committed to ratifying and complying with 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, sustainable development and good governance.”MEPs discussed a wide range of human rights topics in their meetings with the Speaker and members of Pakistan’s National Assembly, as well as with the Chairman and members of the Senate,” the statement said.They also held meetings with the Minister of Human Rights, the Minister of Law and Justice and the Chairwoman of the National Commission on Human Rights.The delegation met with civil society organisations, women human rights activists and the media.