GSP+ status for Pakistan
12.9.2013
Question for written answer P-010257-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Mário David (PPE)
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which the European Parliament awards every year, is one of the most prestigious and celebrated world prizes in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Furthermore, the EU’s trade agreements with third countries include binding criteria relating to human, labour and environmental rights.
Defending the universal values our Union is built upon, we denounce, expose and monitor violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those perpetrated against children, women or minorities.
This is why we are respected all over the world.
The EU does not barter democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, or respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law (Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU)). These values, besides being embedded in the EU’s Treaties since its foundation, have been reinforced by the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Recently, the Commission, in a delegated act, stated that 10 countries — as different as Cape Verde, Mongolia, Georgia, Armenia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Costa Rica and Pakistan, although dealt with in the same legislative act — now meet the criteria, under Article 9(1) of the GSP Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 978/2012), for the additional tariff preferences provided under GSP+.
We know — and it has been confirmed by several UN reports and, to some extent, by the Commission itself — that Pakistan as a state exhibits serious failings when it comes to imposing respect for basic human rights.
1. Taking this into consideration, can the Commission state whether the EU has introduced any changes in the criteria governing relations with third countries which Parliament is not aware of?
2. If this is not the case, does the Commission consider that Pakistan fulfils the criteria set out in Article 21 TEU and Article 9(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 978/2012?
OJ C 197, 26/06/2014