ISLAMABAD: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has asked the European Union (EU) to continue the GSP+ status for Pakistan after first review in January next year as the scheme has been significantly contributing to the revival of country’s economy as well as serving as an international instrument for improvement in human rights situation in the country.

In a statement released here on Tuesday, NCHR Chairman retired Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan made the request to the EU during his recent weeklong visit to Germany.

NCHR has been established around six months back with the aim to assisting the government in fulfilling its international obligations, particularly in reporting to treaty bodies, more accurately and regularly.

“We are a new body and with very limited resources but we have made significant progress and are constantly monitoring human rights situation in the country.” Justice Chowhan told German officials.

During his official visit to Germany Mr Chowhan was accompanied by Zulfiqar Shah, Team Leader of Democracy Reporting International.

Compliance to 27 UN conventions are attached to GSP+ conditionality and Pakistan has already started putting in place institutional mechanisms. But, the government maintains that more time is needed for change.

The EU granted GSP plus status to Pakistan in January last year, allowing duty-free access to Pakistani products in European markets.

GSP + scheme, currently granted to 13 developing countries, is a trade preference scheme described as ‘Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance’.

As a result of economic benefits of GSP +, Pakistan’s exports to EU rose by 21 per cent in the first year of the scheme, but the GSP Plus mechanism also bounds Pakistan to introduce more democratic and human rights reforms.

The preferential access to EU market is, hence, conditional to Pakistan maintaining ratification and effective implementation of the key international conventions concerning human rights, including civil and political rights, labour rights or environmental protection.

Justice Chowhan said: “The role of newly established NCHR was highlighted in Germany and there was learning from German experience of achieving high degree of human rights.”

“The German government is very sympathetic towards Pakistan and wants to see Pakistan build strong human rights protection mechanism,” he added.

He said German officials and parliamentarians were concerned over executions after lifting of moratorium on death sentences and establishment of military courts in Pakistan.

“We had to explain that these are temporary measures to deal with extra ordinary terrorism threats that Pakistan has been facing over the past few years,” the NCHR chairman said, adding that “as soon as situation become normal we will revert to normal procedures”.

Pakistan’s first GSP+ review report is ready and will be tabled in the European Parliament early next month.

Establishment of NCHR has already been acknowledged as an encouraging development. However, there are certain areas where the country needs to make significant improvements.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2015