EU raises concerns over ‘misuse of blasphemy law’ in Pakistan, praises media protection law

ISLAMABAD: The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Josep Borrell, has raised concerns about rights violations in Pakistan, particularly with regards to the death penalty and ‘the misuse of the blasphemy law.’
Borrell and Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi were co-chairing the 6th round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on Tuesday. The meeting comes as the EU is assessing whether it will renew Pakistan’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status.
This April, the European Parliament moved a resolution against Pakistan, seeking an immediate review of its eligibility for GSP+ status over what it called violence and discrimination against religious minorities and other vulnerable groups, as well as a crackdown on media. The EU Ambassador to Islamabad said in October the South Asian nation would have to “redouble” its efforts to meet international rights conventions in order to continue to be a part of the GSP+ scheme.
GSP+ is a special trade arrangement offered to developing economies by European nations in return for their commitment to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, environmental protection and governance.
“Both sides expressed a strong political commitment toward the GSP+ and the implementation of 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment and good governance that are linked to it,” a joint press release about the meeting said. “The HR/VP raised concerns including on the death penalty and the misuse of the blasphemy law.”
Borrell’s comments come in the wake of a lynching in Pakistan last week in which a Sri Lankan man was killed and his body burnt by a Muslim mob in the city of Sialkot over suspicions he committed blasphemy.
The incident has led to widespread soul searching in Pakistan, with Prime Minister Imran Khan saying at a memorial service for the slain Sri Lankan on Tuesday: “Let me make this clear: I have decided that from now we will not spare those who resort to violence in the name of religion, especially in the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).”
At Tuesday’s meeting, however, Borrell also appreciated the adoption of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill by the parliament of Pakistan and hoped that the Anti-Torture Bill and other human rights related legislations that are before parliament would be adopted soon.
The EU and Pakistani official also discussed Afghanistan and “expressed grave concern at the potential for an economic collapse and significantly worsening humanitarian crisis and a fresh flow of refugees.”
“Both sides acknowledged Afghanistan’s serious liquidity challenges which strain the legitimate banking services,” the statement said. “They also agreed on the need for continuing urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance and basic social services support to the Afghan people.”
The EU official also thanked Pakistan for its support in the evacuation of EU nationals and the safe passage of people from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized Kabul in mid-August.