Brussels Report Highlights Enforced Disappearances, Extrajudicial Killings, Media Restrictions, and Lack of Accountability as Key Challenges of major concern
BRUSSELS: Pakistan’s continued access to the European Union’s (EU) Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade arrangement has come under renewed scrutiny after the EU’s latest monitoring assessment raised serious concerns over the country’s human rights records, including enforced disappearances, alleged extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, shrinking space for civil society, minority rights violations and weak accountability mechanisms.
The European Commission’s GSP+ monitoring report for the 2023–2025 period acknowledges some legislative progress by Pakistan, including reforms related to minorities, torture prevention, labour rights, and child protection. However, the assessment concludes that major challenges remain, particularly in implementing international human rights obligations on the ground.
The report states that Pakistan has “regressed in several areas while positive change was limited”, identifying human rights violations and restrictions on fundamental freedoms as among the most serious areas of concern.
The findings are significant because GSP+ is not simply a trade arrangement. Under the scheme, Pakistan receives preferential access to the European market in exchange for commitments to implement 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and good governance.
Pakistan has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the scheme since 2014. According to the EU assessment, Pakistan received approximately €732 million in tariff exemptions in 2024, with EU imports of GSP+-eligible products reaching around €7.5 billion during the same year.
Balochistan at the Centre of EU Human Rights Concerns
The issue of Balochistan features prominently in the EU assessment, particularly regarding enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
The report states that cases of enforced disappearances have increased, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while accountability for alleged perpetrators remains absent.
“Reports point to a high and growing number of cases of enforced disappearances, especially in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the EU document states.
The European Commission further notes that Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has failed to effectively establish the fate of missing persons or ensure accountability.
According to the report, the commission has closed more than 9,000 cases without finding evidence of state involvement in any of them. It also criticises the absence of prosecutions for enforced disappearances.
The EU assessment highlights concerns that recent amendments to anti-terrorism legislation in Balochistan and Punjab may allow preventive detention without charge or trial, creating risks of misuse against political activists, journalists, students, human rights defenders, ethnic communities, and families of missing persons.
Warning in the EU Report
The report warns: “This risks blurring the line between legitimate law enforcement measures and enforced disappearances.”
The EU report was released amid diplomatic engagement by representatives of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), who visited the European Parliament in Brussels to raise concerns over Pakistan’s compliance with GSP+ commitments.
The delegation, led by BNM Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch, held meetings with several Members of the European Parliament, including Bert-Jan Ruissen, Paolo Borchia, Matej Tonin, and Özlem Demirel.
During the meetings, the delegation presented a dossier focusing on the human rights situation in Balochistan, including allegations of:
- enforced disappearances
- extrajudicial killings
- arbitrary arrests
- collective punishment
- restrictions on political and civil freedoms
The delegation argued that these issues directly conflict with the international conventions forming the foundation of Pakistan’s GSP+ obligations.
BNM urged the European Union to conduct a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s compliance and reconsider Pakistan’s GSP+ status if serious violations continue.
The delegation also highlighted the cases of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, describing their cases as part of wider restrictions on Baloch political activism.
EU Raises Alarm Over Freedom of Expression and Media Environment
Beyond Balochistan, the EU report identifies freedom of expression and media freedom as areas where Pakistan has experienced deterioration.
Journalists increasingly operate in a hostile environment marked by:
- intimidation
- legal harassment
- administrative pressure
- threats and violence
The report highlights concerns regarding the use of laws, including:
- Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)
- anti-terror legislation
- criminal defamation laws
- blasphemy provisions
According to the EU assessment, vague legal definitions of concepts such as “terrorism”, “false news”, “hate speech,” and “defamation” have created a chilling effect on journalists, activists, minorities, and political dissenters.
The report also notes that internet access restrictions occurred frequently, particularly during elections, protests, and in Balochistan.
Minority Rights Remain a Major Concern
The EU monitoring document highlights continued problems relating to minority rights.
While recognising the establishment of a National Commission for Minorities as a positive step, the report states that Pakistan’s legal framework does not fully address discrimination against all vulnerable communities.
The EU notes that Pakistan’s legal definition of minorities primarily focuses on non-Muslim communities and does not sufficiently recognise discrimination faced by ethnic and linguistic minorities.
The report highlights continued concerns over:
- hate speech
- attacks against minority communities
- destruction of religious sites
- limited prosecution of perpetrators
It also points to continued discrimination and violence against Ahmadis, including attacks on places of worship and individuals.
Accountability Gap Remains Pakistan’s Biggest Challenge
One of the strongest criticisms in the EU assessment concerns the lack of accountability for rights violations.
The report states that although Pakistan has strengthened some institutions, including the National Commission for Human Rights, implementation remains weak.
The European Commission identifies accountability as a central requirement for future engagement, calling on Pakistan to ensure:
- independent investigations
- prosecution of violators
- protection of human rights defenders
- stronger judicial independence
The report states: “Impunity for human rights violations continues to be of major concern.”
