EU committee urges Pakistan to prevent 'misuse of blasphemy laws, tackle human rights challenges'.

ISLAMABAD -- Members of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) on Friday urged Pakistan to undertake timely reforms and legislative changes on human rights issues including the 'misuse of blasphemy laws'.

'They called for determined and structured action, including the swift adoption of laws against torture and enforced disappearances, steps to substantially reduce the number of crimes carrying the death penalty and to apply the new procedures for mercy petitions,' a press release issued by the EU mission in Islamabad said.

A delegation of the DROI visited Pakistan from September 19 to September 21 to overview the human rights situation in the country, the press release added.

The trip took place in the backdrop of the final round of the European Union's (EU) monitoring of Pakistan's preferential trade access to the EU market under the 'GSP+' scheme for 2014-2033 and its preparations for an application to the next GSP system to be determined in 2024.

Pakistan was granted GSP+ status in 2013, granting Pakistani products duty-free access to the European market. The GSP+ is an entrenched trade and development policy instrument, in place since 1971. Under this status - set to expire on Dec 31, 2023 - there is zero per cent duty on several products.

The EU is Pakistan's most important export market and as a major 'GSP+' country, it has committed to ratifying and complying with 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, sustainable development and good governance.

The EU statement issued today said that its members discussed a wide range of human rights topics during their meetings with the speaker and members of the National Assembly, as well as with the chairman and members of the Senate.

'They also held meetings with the Minister of Human Rights, the Minister of Law and Justice, and the Chairwoman of the National Commission on Human Rights.

The delegation met with civil society organisations, women human rights activists and media. In these discussions, they talked about the criminal justice system, torture and the death penalty, economic and social rights, prevention of domestic violence, and the freedoms of religion and belief and the freedom of expression both online and offline,' it stated.

During the meeting, the members...