ISLAMABAD: The European Union has voiced serious concerns over the sentencing of 25 civilians by a military court in Pakistan on December 21, 2024.
In a statement released by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU highlighted that these verdicts appear to violate Pakistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). According to Article 14 of the ICCPR, every individual has the right to a fair, public trial in an independent, impartial, and competent court, with adequate legal representation. The article also mandates that criminal judgments be made public.
The EU emphasized that Pakistan, as a beneficiary of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), is obligated to effectively implement 27 international conventions, including the ICCPR, to maintain its preferential trade status.
This development raises concerns about Pakistan’s adherence to international human rights standards and could potentially impact its trade privileges under the GSP+ framework.
