The European Parliament has expressed concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan, particularly regarding the arrest of leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), enforced disappearances, freedom of expression and political rights.
A motion tabled in the European Parliament received the support of 95 members and called on Pakistan to ensure effective implementation of its international commitments relating to human rights, political freedoms and fundamental civil liberties.
The motion specifically referred to actions taken against BYC leaders, political activists and human rights defenders. It urged the Pakistani authorities to ensure that cases involving detained individuals are handled through transparent legal procedures and called for a review of measures taken against political activists and human rights representatives.
European lawmakers stated that relations between the European Union and Pakistan are not based solely on trade interests but are also linked to democratic values, human rights and the rule of law.
Analysts have noted that if the European Union concludes that Pakistan is not making sufficient progress in meeting its human rights obligations and the conditions attached to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), the trade arrangement could face future review.
The concerns were echoed in a recent assessment by the European Commission, which highlighted what it described as systemic challenges in Pakistan’s implementation of international human rights conventions. The report noted continuing concerns regarding enforced disappearances, minority rights, media freedom, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, while also pointing to a lack of accountability for human rights violations.
According to the report, cases of enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remain a persistent concern. It also referred to reports of extrajudicial killings.
The European Commission stated that Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has had limited success in providing effective remedies to affected families or holding those responsible accountable. The report noted that no individual has so far been convicted in connection with a case of enforced disappearance.
Referring to more than 9,000 cases that have been closed, the Commission said no evidence had been established linking state officials to those incidents. However, it noted that in cases closed because individuals had returned or were reported dead, the circumstances surrounding their disappearance had often not been fully documented.
The report also raised concerns over amendments to Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act and certain provincial laws. According to the Commission, the changes have expanded powers of preventive detention, creating the possibility that individuals could be held without charge, without trial and under limited judicial oversight.
It warned that such powers could be used disproportionately against political opponents, minority groups, human rights defenders, journalists, students and families seeking information about missing relatives.
The European review described the enactment of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act as a positive development. However, it said effective implementation remained essential despite shortcomings in the legislation.
According to the report, the government has initiated training programmes for law-enforcement agencies and judicial officials, but available data on investigations, complaints and convictions in torture cases has not yet demonstrated significant improvement.
The Commission also expressed concerns regarding political rights, stating that the alleged misuse of legal proceedings and the arrests of opposition leaders and activists have affected the political environment.
The report referred to the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and highlighted concerns related to fair trial guarantees, access to legal counsel, family visits and medical care.
It further stated that trials of civilians in military courts do not meet international standards, particularly those set out in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal.
On media freedom, the report noted that while legislative measures have been introduced to improve the protection of journalists, the environment for journalists and media organisations has become increasingly difficult, insecure and subject to pressure.