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Partnership with Pakistan is the way forward
April 21, 2004 12:00 AM
By Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP in European Parliament
By Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP in European Parliament
Ludford (ELDR), draftsman of the opinion of the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Mr President, my committee's opinion was that the cooperation agreement should be approved, subject to the enforcement of the human rights clause. This would mean that we really do monitor respect for rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, and intervene when breaches occur. The EU has not always exploited such possibilities to the full, and Parliament should push harder in future.
The Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights is well aware of the imperfect state of democracy and human rights in Pakistan. We are outraged at the discrimination and violence against women, at the continuation of the death penalty and at the persecution of minorities, especially religious and national ones. The role of the army is unacceptable and the intelligence services are far too powerful. However, this situation is more likely to improve if we are engaged in the dialogue that the agreement will create, and which will enable us to encourage the forces of progress and modernisation.
The Pakistani diaspora in Europe, which is especially numerous in the UK, can play a very important role in conveying the human rights message. My impression is that they want this agreement concluded. They are right.
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