EU Links Pakistan’s Trade Privileges to Human Rights Progress

The European Union (EU) has warned Pakistan that its access to duty-free trade under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) is contingent on improvements in human rights, VOA reported. Olof Skoog, the EU’s special human rights envoy, emphasized this point following a recent visit to Pakistan, where concerns over civil liberties and political dissent have escalated.

Skoog highlighted critical issues, including blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances, and media independence. He urged Pakistan to continue reforms to maintain its GSP+ status, which has significantly boosted its exports to the EU by 108% since 2014.

The envoy’s visit coincided with the swift passage of controversial amendments to cybercrime laws in Pakistan, criticized for potentially restricting free speech. The new legislation imposes penalties for spreading “false news,” raising alarms among journalists and human rights advocates about increased government control over media.