EU officials apprised of rights situation in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The EU-Pakistan Sub-Group on Democracy, Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights discussed on Tuesday a range of issues related to the rule of law and human rights, and the bilateral cooperation at the international fora.

According to a press release, the meeting held via a video link, was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Nabeel Munir, Additional Secretary of Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

“As part of their regular annual meetings, the EU and Pakistan discussed a range of issues related to the rule of law and human rights,” it said, adding that Pakistan’s implementation of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) and related commitments were also discussed.

“During the meeting, participants discussed cooperation on human rights at international fora, Pakistan’s National Action Plan on Human Rights, gender equality, women’s and children’s rights, freedom of expression and media, civil society space, freedom of religion or belief and rights of persons belonging to minorities.”

In the sub-group meeting, the EU and Pakistan also addressed the issues concerning the rule of law and access to justice, including the review of the crimes that could lead to death penalty, as well as legal and institutional developments.

The Pakistan side updated the participants on labour rights, including the Child Labour Survey. The EU presented the assessment of the implementation of the EU’s Human Rights Programme. The sub-group will present its conclusions to the EU-Pakistan Joint Commission later this month.