Just Another Carte Blanche? EU GSP Plus Status and Human Rights in Pakistan

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Abstract

The EU is considering offering Pakistan a Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) in trade which could have huge implications for the economic well-being of Pakistan. However this deal is tied to a package of human rights, labour rights, good governance and environment commitments. In the past Pakistan has signed up to such commitments but has failed to implement them (most starkly perhaps in relation to women’s rights and minority rights). This paper argues that the EU should seek to use the leverage of the GSP+ deal to ensure Pakistani compliance with, and implementation of, its obligations and should be willing to withdraw the deal if it does not. It cautions that the EU should not countenance a "carte blanche" in which Pakistan’s ruling elite reaps the rewards of EU trade liberalisation without any corresponding commitment – beyond lip service - to improve rights, governance, and environmental protection.