ABOUT DRI
SUPPORTING
ADVOCACY
FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS IN
PAKISTAN
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan,
independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin.
DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability
of state bodies, and development of democratic institutions
worldwide. DRI helps support local ways of promoting the
universal right of citizens to participate in the political life
of their country, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR).
DRI’s work is carried out by an international network of
experienced professionals who have worked in democratic
governance and human rights around the world.
DRI IN PAKISTAN
DRI has been active in Pakistan since 2010 when it opened its
first project office in Islamabad. Between 2010-2013, DRI’s
work in Pakistan focused on a stronger electoral process
ahead of the 2013 general elections and provided on-going
technical support to Pakistan’s parliament on electoral
reforms. This included briefings for key stakeholders,
publications on topics such as international standards for
election laws, the role of women in voting, and local election
legal framework assessments for Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the Islamabad Capital Territory.
DRI is currently implementing a project funded by the
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs that aims at promoting an
institutional framework for GSP+ monitoring and supports
advocacy for human rights in Pakistan, with a focus on civil
and political rights.
For more information on the project and the schedule of its
activities, contact us at [email protected].
Photo Credit:
Khaula Jamil
House #30, Street #20, F-7/2
Islamabad / Pakistan
T/ +92 51 8357972
F/ +92 51 8358973
[email protected]
www.democracy-reporting.org/pakistan
Prinzessinnenstr. 30
10696 Berlin / Germany
T/ +49 30 27 87 73 00
F/ +49 30 27 87 73 00-10
[email protected]
www.democracy-reporting.org
This project is funded by the German MFA.
DEMOCRACY
REPORTING
INTERNATIONAL
DRI PAKISTAN
PROJECT
SUPPORTING ADVOCACY
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
The project will strengthen Pakistan’s ability to maintain EU
trade preferences known as GSP+. It will create awareness
on how GSP+ functions and bring key stakeholders together
to discuss a work plan and key reforms needed ahead of the
EU’s 2016 review of the preferences granted to Pakistan.
GSP+ AND HUMAN RIGHTS
At the beginning of 2014 Pakistan was granted the European
Union’s special incentive arrangement for Sustainable
Development and Good Governance under the EU’s
Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+). Pakistan’s
businesses benefit from reduced duties on exports to the
EU in industries such as textiles and garments, fresh and
processed fruits, and many other goods.
But these benefits are conditional: In order to keep GSP+
status, Pakistan’s government will need to participate
and cooperate in the EU’s monitoring procedure, maintain
the ratification of 27 human rights, labour, governance
and environmental treaties, ensure their effective
implementation, and fulfil reporting obligations mandated
by each treaty.
In Pakistan, there has been a lack of compliance with
the reporting requirements under these treaties, a key
requirement to maintain GSP+ status. The previous
legislature passed a law to establish a National Commission
for Human Rights (an independent state body to monitor,
report on, and ensure compliance with human rights), but the
setup of this body has faced significant delays.
The 18th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan has
posed an additional challenge, as provinces now have an
enhanced role in ensuring compliance with international
human rights obligations in many more policy areas. However,
there is currently little debate about a coherent human rights
policy.
DRI ACTIVITIES
In this regard, an urgent issue is the development of a
national strategy on GSP+ and human rights reporting,
including coordinated GSP+ cells in the federal and provincial
governments. By addressing these challenges, Pakistan can
demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening human
rights.
On-demand support to state bodies to implement democratic
governance obligations
• Supporting federal and provincial level human rights
monitoring bodies as a means of ensuring compliance
with GSP+
Pakistan could build on the positive steps made so far. As
part of its efforts to maintain GSP+ status, treaty monitoring
cells have been established at both the federal and provincial
levels. In addition, the government has assigned specific
ministries to report on the implementation of international
conventions. In the provinces, GSP+ cells operate under the
supervision of various bodies, such as law departments,
ministerial cabinets, provincial committees, and ministries. A
national strategy on GSP+ and human rights reporting could
help to overcome the challenges in terms of coordinated
monitoring and reporting.
• Providing advice, expert briefings, and research to
committee members, elected officials, and government
departments on human rights reforms, monitoring, and
reporting
Civil society organisations (CSOs) should also play a role
in this coordinated GSP+ and human rights strategy. Their
contribution includes drafting reports that are independent
of government, and coordinating the form and timing of their
submissions so they are useful for the treaty monitoring
bodies, elected officials, and the wider public.
Awareness-raising: raising public understanding of GSP+
mechanics
GSP+ REQUIREMENTS
• Following all reporting requirements imposed by
each treaty and regular monitoring and review of the
implementation record by relevant monitoring bodies
• Participating in and cooperating with the EU monitoring
procedures, which foresee a review of the conditionality
points every two years
• Ratifying and ensuring the implementation of 27 UN
and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions
on human rights, labour, good governance and the
environment
• Connecting state bodies with civil society groups that are
active in their relevant policy area, especially regarding
conventions related to GSP+
• Trainings on GSP+ and human rights monitoring for
government, civil society, and independent monitoring
bodies
• Public events and consultations on human rights and
GSP+ compliance
• Tailored trainings for political parties, civil society and
other stakeholders on human rights monitoring and
reporting
• On-demand research and policy papers on comparative
practices in GSP+ states, the role of human rights
institutions in ensuring compliance monitoring, and key
reforms ahead of the next EU reporting cycle
• Support the preparation of a shadow report or assessment
on ICCPR compliance
• Provide coordination platforms for civil society in the
provincial capitals