Thread by @lugaricano

Just returned from a fascinating visit to #Pakistan. The @EUparl is very concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation, which puts into question the continuation of the Preferred trade status of the country (GSP+). [Thread] 1/11

https://twitter.com/ansarmbhatti/status/1456127130698452992?s=24

I was honored to meet Senior Trade Advisor, Foreign, Trade and Justice Ministers, Attorney General, Speaker of the House, etc and had encounters with opposition, journalists, civil society and religious minorities. Thanks for a flawless organization to @EUPakistan 2/11

Background: Europe has 0 trade tariffs for many Pakistani goods (GSP+) in exchange for implementing 27 human rights conventions. Pakistan exports 31% of all exports to EU.
The status expires in December 2023 and is now up for revision.
trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-mark…
3/11

The European delegation wanted to ensure that the Human Rights part of the deal advances. Only with respect of human rights can Pakistan prosper, extremism be defeated and the country attain the level of progress it deserves.
tribune.com.pk/story/2297641/…
4/11

We had three major concerns
1.Minority rights: they were a big priority of Pakistan´s founder. The Constitution says "adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their culture"
5/11

However, this is not the reality due to blasphemy laws and civil rights suppression:
- Blasphemy laws are abused to keep minorities on the defensive-any mistake can result in years in prison after a false accusation of blasphemy
forbes.com/sites/ewelinao…
6/11

- The civil rights of minorities are constantly under attack. The Ahmedi minority, for instance, is de facto excluded from voting and representation, as they must renounce their faith to vote. See @hrw explanation
7/11 hrw.org/news/2018/06/2…

2.Women´s rights: there are huge concerns about forced marriages for young girls,often after forced conversion. Since Islam punishes apostasy with death, once a girl is forced to convert, it is impossible for her to divorce and come back to her home.
8/11 fides.org/en/news/70961-…

3. A huge concern is press freedom. Journalists disappear frequently, there are frequent campaign of cyber harassment online. See report of @RSF_inter
9/11
rsf.org/en/pakistan

Worst of all there is no progress on these matters. In fact, things are going backwards in terms of journalistic freedom.
Our message was clear: Pakistan should not take for granted its privileged trade status. EU has done its part, Pakistan must fulfill its own part.
10/11

Overall, a lot of good encounters with @NProcaccini, @HeidiHautala and @TomasZdechovskyto with a vibrant NGO and HR activist community and politicians who want to make the country work for all Pakistanis. GSP+ can help Pakistan,but it must address these human rights issues
11/11

Thanks very much @EUPakistan @razak_dawood @SMQureshiPTI @Farogh_NaseemPK @NASpeakerPK @marriyum @MiftahIsmail @DrMusadikMalik @BilalAKayani @ChMSarwar
@HamidMirPAK @Javaid_Siddiq
@arifanoor72 @AmberRShamsi @Maria_Memon @AsadHashim @TenzilaMazhar @HMBKS_
@MalickViews