Capital punishment: EU troubled by lifting of moratorium

Concerns voiced about women, minorities’ rights at EU-Pak dialogue

ISLAMABAD:

The European Union (EU) on Friday expressed renewed concern over the Pakistani government’s decision to scrap the moratorium on capital punishment.

The concern was raised during the First Pakistan-EU Local Human Rights Dialogue conducted at the Foreign Office.

Nadeem Riyaz, the additional secretary for Europe, represented Pakistan in the dialogue while Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Bertil Wigemark, head of the EU delegation to Pakistan, represented the union.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said the GSP Plus status of Pakistan and implementation of its 27 related conventions, human rights, death penalty, gender equality and labour standards also came under discussion.

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to implementation of the ratified conventions in the context of GSP Plus.

While the EU delegation appreciated positive developments in Pakistan, it expressed concerns about the lifting of the moratorium on capital punishment, as well as women and minorities rights in the country.

The government had removed the moratorium soon after the Peshawar Army Public School massacre. The ban was partially lifted for punishing hardcore terrorists. But the government has now removed the moratorium completely.

The Foreign Office statement also said Pakistan had raised the issue of misuse of freedom of speech. Both sides agreed to work together to promote inter-faith harmony.

The EU offered to cooperate and assist Pakistan in various areas of socio-economic development. The talks were held in a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2015.