Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the European Commission

25.6.2019

Pakistan, as a beneficiary of the Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+), is subject to strict monitoring of its commitments under the 27 international conventions covered under GSP+.[1] The GSP+ monitoring process involves written communications, monitoring missions, and joint committees.

These exchanges are also guided by external sources of information, such as reports from the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation, other international organisations, and civil society groups. These various sources provide the Commission services and the European External Action Service (EEAS) with an adequate picture on the state of implementation of the relevant international conventions.

The EU has raised the issue of violence against women with Pakistani authorities during a recent monitoring mission (October 2018) and in subsequent written exchanges. Experts from Commission services and the EEAS also identified it as a priority area for Pakistan to deliver. The GSP+ process has contributed to substantive progress at the legislative level on this issue, with the adoption of the federal anti-honour killings law in 2016.

The EU continues to closely monitor the implementation of the new legislation. In addition, several EU projects, including under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, support women’s rights and religious minority rights in Pakistan, including one combatting acid attacks.

The goal of the GSP+ monitoring process is to ensure that beneficiary countries continue to make meaningful progress in the implementation of their obligations. The withdrawal of tariff preferences is a measure of last resort.

• [1] Regulation (EU) 978/2012, Annex VIII.