Karachi, 1 June 2022 (TDI): Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, Thomas Seiler spoke at the Human Rights Reform Conference organized by the Human Rights Department of the Government of Sindh.
During the conference, Seiler spoke about GSP+ Opportunity to Strengthen Human Rights Protection in Pakistan.
🇪🇺 Charge D’Affaires Mr Thomas Seiler speaks about GSP+: Opportunity to Strengthen Human Rights Protection in 🇵🇰 Pakistan in Karachi #HRConfSindh Read his speech here 👇https://t.co/PznqNo77vS pic.twitter.com/O17RKFToo6
— EUPakistan (@EUPakistan) May 30, 2022
Speech by Thomas Seiler
Initially, Seiler highlighted that human rights are and will remain at the center of the EU’s policy and their foreign policy.
He pointed out the growing political wish to promote and protect human rights as part of their essential values.
For a long time, Human rights have been part of the EU’s foreign policy around the world. Specifically, through political dialogue, debate with civil society organizations, and views exchange with economic actors.
For this reason, they work in unity with partner countries on the implementation of Human rights.
Hence, the EU diplomat gladly announced that they have worked with Pakistan for numerous years previously on Human Rights, not only at the federal level but with provinces as well.
He mentioned the most important achievement is the de facto moratorium on the death penalty. Thus, Seiler said the implementation of common objectives has to be discussed. He referred to the present conference as an ideal forum to do so.
In his emphasis that Human Rights are indivisible, not interpretable, adaptable, or adjustable, he stated the similarity between the right of a boy or a girl not to be subject to child labor.
Seiler expressed that both Pakistan and the EU benefit from the GSP+ regime. As GSP+ is a very efficient tool in facilitating and increasing trade with Pakistan.
It also offers incentives for Pakistani producers, factory owners, employers, and traders. That is, to work together with their European partners.
Moreover, it permits the EU to export high-quality standards of goods, which ultimately benefits consumers in Pakistan. At the same time, it raises the competitiveness of Pakistani products in third countries, past the EU.
In expressing his awareness of the implementation of the current GSP+ regime, Seiler underlined their commitment to working together with all levels of state, CSOs, employers, and trade unions.
Seiler shared a part of their past cooperation on Human rights. Thus, as part of the results of their Huqooq-e-Pakistan project, training modules on human rights were conducted.
Also, relevant international conventions, agreements, and standards have been involved in the permanent curriculum of the Sindh Judicial Academy.
Additionally, he stated that Pakistan has to explain its position, reservations, and concerns to every stakeholder in Brussels.
Seiler considered without a doubt the seriousness whereby the Government is presently pursuing its policy on Human rights. As Prime Minister Shebahz Sharif previously addressed the nation and he referred to the rights and the protection of minorities.
Lastly, Seiler affirmed the EU’s commitment to working with Pakistan to increase their bilateral trade. Above all to make it more sustainable and Human rights compliant.
