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ISLAMABAD, May 30 (APP):A delegation from the European Union (EU), led by Mr. Jeroen Willems, EU Head of Cooperation in Pakistan, along with Ms. Marta Szymczyk, Programme Manager, Human Rights and Democracy, visited the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and held a meeting with Secretary MoHR, Humera Ahmad.
The meeting was also attended by Muhammad Arshad, Director General (IC), and Muhammad Arif Leghari, Director (IC), MoHR.
The Secretary welcomed the EU delegation and appreciated the European Union’s long-standing partnership with Pakistan in advancing the human rights agenda.
Jeroen Willems acknowledged the progress made by Pakistan and reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for these efforts.
The forthcoming EU Monitoring Mission on GSP+, underscoring that the associated benefits are intrinsically linked to sustained improvements in human rights practices, was also discussed.
Highlighting the importance of protecting the rights of minorities, women, children, and persons with disabilities, Willems commended Pakistan’s initiatives in these areas and encouraged ongoing collaboration.
Secretary MoHR reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups and advancing an inclusive human rights agenda. She apprised the EU delegation of key legislative milestones, including the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act and the ICT Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025. She also highlighted the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package 2024 as a flagship initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities.
Emphasizing the Ministry’s focus on inclusivity, she shared ongoing reforms to improve accessibility and mobility for persons with disabilities. The Secretary further noted the Government’s resolve to strengthen the National Commissions; NCHR, NCSW, and NCRC in accordance with the Paris Principles to ensure more effective protection, redress, and accountability mechanisms.
The ongoing EU-Pakistan collaboration under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II (HeP-II) project was also discussed. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen coordination among all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the 2025 work plan.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to human rights and recognizing the Ministry of Human Rights as the key focal point for advancing this agenda in Pakistan. The importance of continued coordination and regular engagement was also emphasized.