Human rights activists call on EU to investigate violations of Christian rights in Pakistan

Ahead of the renegotiation of a key trade agreement, human rights organizations are urging the European Union to investigate massive human rights violations in Pakistan, especially persecution of religious minorities. The EU mission has begun monitoring Pakistan’s compliance with international obligations, on which the country depends to maintain its preferential GSP+ trade status, which provides significant economic benefits.

According to The Christian Post, the EU mission will assess Pakistan’s compliance with 27 international conventions in the areas of human rights, labor rights, good governance and the environment. GSP+ status, which Pakistan has enjoyed since 2014, has allowed the country to increase its textile exports to the EU by 108% through reduced or zero duties. As part of the visit, EU representatives will meet with government agencies, civil society and human rights groups.

Akmal Bhatti, chairman of the Minorities Alliance of Pakistan (MAP), said the government is not fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities to protect the rights of citizens. He noted that religious minorities, especially Christians, continue to suffer discrimination and abuse of blasphemy laws. Bhatti also criticized the authorities’ inaction against the perpetrators of the August 2023 attacks on churches and Christian homes in Jaranwala and the delay in passing a law criminalizing child marriage.

Activists are also demanding the constitutional right of minorities to elect their own representatives and the lifting of the ban on non-Muslims holding the posts of the country’s president and prime minister. «If all citizens are equal before the Constitution and the law, then this restriction on non-Muslims must be lifted,» Bhatti emphasized.

His concerns are echoed by Pakistan Masih Millat Chairman Aslam Pervaiz Sahotra, who said the human rights situation in the country has only worsened in recent years. «Continued granting of trade concessions despite ongoing violations sends a dangerous message that economic interests are taking precedence over human rights,» he said.

EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis reiterated that Pakistan needs to make significant progress in meeting its international obligations to retain its GSP+ status. He clarified that the EU mission would examine respect for human rights, protection of minorities, use of death penalty, blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances, women’s rights, and child and forced labor.

GSP+ status for Pakistan has been extended until 2027, but the results of the current monitoring will have a decisive impact on the country’s application under the new scheme, which will come into effect in 2027. The economic stakes are high, with Pakistan’s export earnings to the EU rising to $3.17 billion between July and October, up from $3 billion in the same period last year.

As a reminder, according to the latest World Watch List 2025 report published by Open Doors US, more than 380 million Christians worldwide face persecution because of their faith. That’s one in seven believers in the world. Despite the growing pressure, Christian communities continue to exist and even grow in the countries with the highest levels of persecution.