The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has formed a special committee to address the EU’s GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus). The aim of this committee is to document human rights violations in Balochistan and regularly inform the relevant institutions of the European Union in a timely and systematic manner.
Regarding this initiative, BNM Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch stated that the committee is documenting daily incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture cells, restrictions on political freedoms, and other serious human rights abuses. The purpose is to ensure that European officials gain direct access to the facts which are often hidden due to censorship by Pakistani media and state institutions.
He emphasized, “In such circumstances, providing Pakistan with economic or diplomatic support especially through trade incentives like GSP+ amounts to indirect endorsement of the grave human rights violations being committed against the Baloch nation.”
Dr. Naseem Baloch continued, “We believe in European democracy, human values, and international justice. Based on these principles, we are hopeful that the European Union—founded on the pillars of human rights and justice will not be part of any policy that strengthens the genocide of an oppressed nation.”
He urged the EU to reconsider granting Pakistan economic privileges at the cost of Baloch blood. Pakistan clearly violates the core principles of the laws that form the basis for GSP+ eligibility. As a result, Pakistan receives an annual trade benefit of 6 to 7 billion euros, which directly strengthens the Pakistani military, a force responsible for state terrorism, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and mass graves in Balochistan.
He further explained that GSP+ requires full compliance with 27 international core conventions, especially those related to human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance. While human rights are a fundamental component of these conventions, the Pakistani state continues to systematically and consistently violate these global norms in Balochistan. As for governance, even Balochistan’s parliamentary seats are reportedly manipulated and secured by the ISI and military, making a mockery of democratic representation.
Dr. Naseem Baloch accused the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies of illegally abducting Baloch political activists, students, journalists, and civilians, subjecting them to torture, or killing them extrajudicially. These practices constitute clear violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) both of which are central to the GSP+ requirements.
He also noted that free journalism in Balochistan is virtually impossible. Any journalist or activist who reports on human rights violations faces arrest, abduction, or assassination.
“We have consistently been informing elected representatives and various institutions of the European Union about this grave human crisis,” said Dr. Naseem Baloch. “We appeal to the EU to hold all civil and military officials of Pakistan accountable for their role in the genocide of the Baloch people. We demand that the European Union reconsider and terminate all forms of political, economic, and military cooperation with a state involved in such serious human rights violations.”
