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ISLAMABAD: The European Parliament has adopted a resolution, condemning the Taliban&rsquo;s penal code, calling for an immediate end to public floggings and executions in Afghanistan, and urging sanctions against Taliban leaders over ongoing human rights abuses. Lawmakers approved the resolution on May 21 with 480 votes in favor, five against and 83 abstentions,&nbsp;reported Afghanistan International, a London-based media organization focusing on Afghan affairs, on Thursday .&nbsp; In the Afghanistan resolution, members of the European Parliament said the Taliban&rsquo;s penal code has institutionalized the &ldquo;systematic persecution&rdquo; of women and girls and contributed to slavery, corporal punishment and widespread violations of fundamental rights, including what lawmakers described as gender apartheid. The resolution called on Taliban authorities to immediately repeal the penal code and lift restrictions imposed on women and girls, individuals, religious minorities and other vulnerable groups. European lawmakers also stressed the implementation of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court and called for expanded human rights sanctions targeting Taliban leaders. The parliament further stressed the need for increased humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people while maintaining the European Union&rsquo;s policy of non-recognition and non-normalization toward the Taliban administration. Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and higher education, limits on employment and strict controls on public life. Human rights organizations and international bodies have repeatedly criticized the measures as discriminatory and in violation of international law.

Building of the European Parliament in Brussels - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan

The European Parliament condemned the Taliban’s human rights abuses in Afghanistan, calling for an end to public punishments and sanctions against Taliban leaders over systemic oppression of women and vulnerable groups.

EU Parliament approves resolution urging sanctions against Taliban leaders

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan told a European Parliament delegation that removing duty concessions on ethanol exports under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) is damaging rural livelihoods and farming communities. The minister outlined how this change has hurt rural economies reliant on ethanol production from sugarcane molasses. He urged the EU to reconsider the decision to protect these vulnerable communities. GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) is a special incentive arrangement by the European Union that grants tariff reductions to vulnerable developing countries in exchange for commitments to implement 27 core international conventions on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance. This allows these countries to export goods to the EU with zero or lower tariffs on most of their products, promoting sustainable development and integration into the global economy. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad, as per the Press Information Department. It involved a high-level delegation from the European Parliament&rsquo;s Committee on Development led by Lukas Mandl. Discussions covered Pakistan&rsquo;s achievements under the GSP+ scheme, which supports sustainable trade, human rights, labor reforms, climate action, and institutional strengthening. The commerce minister stated how Pakistan secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2026&ndash;2028 and received &ldquo;A status&rdquo; accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions for its National Commission for Human Rights. The government passed key legislation, including the Islamabad Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025. It also introduced commissions to protect journalists and minorities and adopted a policy promoting interfaith harmony. On the economic front, the minister reported steps to attract foreign investment. The central bank&rsquo;s interest rate has dropped from 22% to 11%. The government is focusing on industrial growth, skill training, and empowering the country&rsquo;s youth, with over 60% of the population under 30 years of age. The minister invited EU companies to invest in sectors like agriculture, food processing, seed development, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises, and e-commerce. He also raised a second trade concern: the Geographical Indication (GI) registration of basmati rice. The issue of GI registration for basmati rice in the EU involves a dispute between India and Pakistan, both of which have applied for protected status. The EU has been urged to make a fair decision, as Pakistan has opposed India&#39;s 2018 application, arguing that it would negatively impact Pakistan&#39;s exports, given that both countries produce and trade Basmati. Officials also briefed the delegation on Pakistan&rsquo;s recent accession to the Madrid Protocol on Trademarks and the Marrakech Treaty for the Visually Impaired. Reforms on patents and copyrights are underway to strengthen intellectual property laws and improve investor confidence. The European parliamentarians praised Pakistan&rsquo;s transparency and reform efforts. They discussed areas for improved cooperation, including global peace, education, and economic ties. The commerce minister sought EU support on regulatory compliance related to sustainability and climate standards, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The talks ended with both sides committing to deepen trade, investment, and development cooperation under the GSP+ framework.

Ethanol production facility in Pakistan (pepl.pk)

Business

Pakistan's Commerce Minister discussed GSP+ achievements, raised concerns over ethanol export duty cuts and basmati rice GI registration, and sought EU support for sustainability and trade reforms.

Articles tagged with "European parliament"

EU Parliament approves resolution urging sanctions against Taliban leaders

Pakistan farmers hurt by EU duty concession cuts on ethanol: minister