Quetta, Oct 25 (NVI) Baloch National Movement (BNM) has urged the European Parliament to support the demand for revocation of GSP+ preferential trade privileges to Pakistan in view of the large-scale human rights violations committed by its regime in Balochistan.
A BNM delegation met Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in The Hague, capital of The Netherlands, and cited widespread enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, collective punishment and other serious human rights violations committed by Pakistan in Balochistan.
The meetings came ahead of the review of the GSP+ trade status of Pakistan expected in January next year.
The BNM delegation impressed upon the MEPs that Pakistan should not continue to receive trade benefits without proper accountability, according to a statement issued by the organisation.
The meetings took place during the launch event of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) Netherlands, held at Europa Experience in The Hague under the theme “Global Challenges We’re Facing Together.”
During the event, the BNM delegation met with MEPs Anna Strolenberg and Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, as well as Esther Láinez, President of the Young European Federalists (JEF) Netherlands.
The delegation briefed European representatives on the human rights situation in Balochistan, the Baloch national struggle for freedom and self-determination, and Pakistan’s failure to uphold its international human rights commitments, the statement said.
“The central focus of the meetings was Pakistan’s GSP+ status. The delegation called on European representatives to support the revocation of Pakistan’s preferential trade privileges, arguing that a country involved in widespread enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, collective punishment and other serious human rights violations should not continue receiving trade benefits without proper accountability,” it said.
The delegation also handed over a detailed dossier documenting human rights concerns in Balochistan and Pakistan’s non-compliance with the international conventions linked to the EU’s GSP+ scheme.
For the past two years, BNM’s Foreign Department has carried out an extensive diplomatic campaign challenging Pakistan’s GSP+ privileges.
Through meetings with European representatives, formal submissions, documented evidence and sustained diplomatic engagement, BNM has made important progress in bringing Balochistan’s human rights situation to the attention of European policymakers.
With Pakistan’s GSP+ review expected in January 2027, BNM considers this a crucial period for its diplomatic efforts.
The party hopes that the European Union will seriously consider its proposals, evidence and submissions when reviewing Pakistan’s compliance with the conditions of the scheme.
BNM believes that the European Union must remain committed to the human rights principles that underpin its trade policies. Trade preferences should not become a shield against accountability for serious human rights violations.
BNM said its Foreign Department will continue its diplomatic engagement with European institutions and policymakers, pressing for the revocation of Pakistan’s GSP+ status and ensuring that the human rights situation in Balochistan remains part of the EU’s discussions on trade and accountability. (NVI)
