GSP, the mid-term review and Pakistan: The need to recalibrate

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Abstract

The political framework of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) has centred on the improvement of governance, democratization, labour rights and human rights in beneficiary countries. One of the fundamental additions to the current regulation’s eligibility conditions was the respect of UN conventions on terrorism (Article 19 (c), Chapter V). Furthermore, recital 34 of the present regulation requires the Commission to take into account combatting terrorism in its mid-term assessment. In 2014, Pakistan was granted GSP+ status. This requires effective monitoring and implementation of 27 UN conventions. This Policy Brief argues that Pakistan has not only failed to effectively implement several of these UN conventions but, most importantly, has not curbed its support for terrorist groups that destabilise the region. Islamabad’s strategy of nurturing and propelling cross-border terrorism as a foreign policy tool is a serious violation of GSP principles, and distorts the efficacy of EU’s global fight against terrorism. The mid-term review is a timely opportunity for the Commission to provide clarity regarding the EU procedures pertaining to the implementation of UN conventions on anti-terrorism, and to investigate Pakistan’s severe shortcomings pertaining to violations of GSP+ conventions as well as violations of fundamental GSP principles stemming from state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism.