VP/HR — Abduction and forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan

22.1.2015

Question for written answer E-000836-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Dennis de Jong (GUE/NGL)

Hindu girls are regularly abducted in Pakistan and forcefully made to marry and convert to Islam, with some reports claiming that 1 000 girls are forced to convert every year. Although abductions and forced conversions are a serious issue, the Pakistani Government and media continue to ignore such cases, which encourages more abductions and forced conversions.

1. Is the VP/HR aware of these worrying developments?

2. What measures is the EU currently taking to address the issue of abduction and forced conversions of Hindu girls and to promote freedom of religion and belief in Pakistan?

3. Is the EU willing to remind the Government of Pakistan of its obligations, under UN treaties and as part of the GSP+ trade agreement, to promote and protect the equality, dignity and human rights of all Pakistanis? In particular, a core purpose of the EU’s GSP+ programme is to link human rights to trade incentives, with a view to using such incentives to encourage developing countries to adopt the values found in core human rights treaties.