“Time for Action”: European Parliament Conference Calls to Strip Pakistan of GSP+

A conference in the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR) and organised by EU Today, examines whether Pakistan should retain its preferential trade access to the EU market under the GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) scheme. The event features the screening of EU Today’s documentary “GSP+: The EU’s Silent Compromise” and the presentation of the white paper “Pakistan’s GSP+ Non-Compliance: A Case for Suspension”. Speakers highlight evidence of serious and persistent human rights violations in Pakistan and question the European Commission’s continued support for GSP+ and substantial development aid. Key contributions include: Georgiana Teodorescu MEP (ECR) – opens the conference, outlining the conditions attached to GSP+ and the EU’s duty to ensure that European taxpayers’ money does not support human rights abuses. Gary Cartwright, publisher of EU Today – explains the documentary and white paper, and raises concerns about EU funds reaching madrasa networks used for radicalisation and terrorist training. Dr Naseem Baluch, chairman of the Baloch National Movement – details enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, mass graves and drone strikes in Balochistan, arguing that Pakistan cannot credibly be treated as GSP+ compliant. Nigel Goodrich, co-founder and secretary-general of IMPAC (International Movement for Peace and Coexistence) – asks why Pakistan is being treated differently from Sri Lanka and Myanmar, whose GSP+ and trade preferences were withdrawn for fewer violations, and questions “how many more monitoring missions and scorecards” are needed. Filip Dewinter, Belgian MP (Vlaams Belang) – links the debate to security and radicalisation concerns in Europe and points to wider geopolitical factors influencing EU hesitation. The discussion addresses: • Pakistan’s obligations under the 27 GSP+ conventions • Enforced disappearances, blasphemy laws and persecution of minorities • EU development funding and oversight • The role of the European Commission, Parliament and Member States in any future suspension of GSP+. 📄 Produced by: EU Today 🎥 Documentary & white paper: “GSP+: The EU’s Silent Compromise” / “Pakistan’s GSP+ Non-Compliance: A Case for Suspension”