Pakistan, EU reaffirm resolve to protect religious freedom, right of minorities

Islamabad-December 08 (Online): Pakistan and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed on Wednesday their resolve to protect human rights as well as fundamental freedoms, focusing on freedom of religion, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and rights of minorities.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) Josep Borrell during the 6th Round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

FM Qureshi during the meeting expressed concerns at the rising trends of Islamophobic acts, xenophobia and religious intolerance in the world and the need for common resolve to counter them.

The EU official, on the other hand, raised concerns over the death penalty and the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws in the wake of a lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot over allegations of blasphemy.

However, Borrell appreciated Pakistan for passing the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill and hoped that the Anti-Torture Bill and other human rights-related legislation would be adopted soon.
During the meeting, climate change issues and the importance of global action to counter the threat were also discussed.

Pakistan and EU envoys supported dialogue among the Afghan parties for achieving national reconciliation and underlined the importance of an inclusive and representative government, to enhance the prospects of security and stability.

The EU representative thanked Pakistan for its support in the evacuation of the EU nationals and the safe passage of people from Afghanistan.
Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s support for the EU’s inclusion in the regional political consultation mechanism on Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s deep concerns about human rights violations by India in occupied Kashmir, and efforts to change the demography of the disputed territory in violation of UNSC resolutions.

Borrell underscored that the EU was monitoring the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir closely. He reiterated the need for restraint, de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the dispute through dialogue and constructive political and diplomatic engagement.

The EU envoy welcomed the agreement of February 2021 between India and Pakistan for observance of ceasefire understanding at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and to engage through the established mechanisms.