A delegation of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), led by Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch, visited the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, where it held meetings with several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). During these meetings, the delegation engaged in detailed discussions on Pakistan’s obligations under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and its implementation.
The delegation expressed serious concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan, highlighting enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, collective punishment, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. It stated that these grave violations are in direct conflict with the international human rights treaties whose implementation is a core condition for Pakistan’s continued eligibility under the GSP+ scheme.
The delegation urged the European Union to conduct a comprehensive and impartial review of Pakistan’s compliance with its GSP+ commitments and to revoke Pakistan’s GSP+ status in light of the ongoing human rights abuses.
During the visit, the delegation met with MEPs Bert-Jan Ruissen, Paolo Borchia, Matej Tonin, and Özlem Demirel. It also held meetings with Ann Buwalda, Executive Director of Jubilee Campaign, and Hulda Fahmi, Communications Associate.
In these meetings, the delegation presented a detailed dossier on the overall human rights situation in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the recent life sentences handed down to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji. The delegation called on European institutions to take effective and practical steps to ensure accountability and uphold the human rights principles that form the foundation of the GSP+ framework.
The delegation included Jamal Baloch, Media Coordinator of Paank, BNM’s human rights organization; Basit Zahir Baloch, a member of the party’s Media, IT, and Cultural Department; and Safia Baloch. The visit took place at the official invitation of the European Parliament.
