In their plenary session debate on Wednesday 31 May, MEPs welcomed the decision taken by the European Commission in mid-May to grant trade preferences to Sri Lanka under the GSP+ (generalised system of preferences) in recognition of the political changes and reforms it has brought in since 2015 (see EUROPE 11790). They called, however, for close monitoring of the ratification and implementation by the Sri Lankan authorities of the 27 international conventions on human rights, sustainable development and good governance.
In granting GSP+, the Commission recognises and supports the historic political changes in Sri Lanka “that resulted in a government that launched an ambitious reform agenda, including reconciliation and justice, after the end of a very painful civil war. But of course, this GSP+ is not a blank cheque”, stated Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.
In order to ensure implementation of the commitments by Sri Lanka on human rights, sustainable development and good governance, the EU will rely on a monitoring system comprising three tools, the commissioner said: - written questions to the country’s authorities asking them to detail how they are addressing shortcomings in the implementation of the relevant 27 international conventions; - regular dialogues with the Sri Lankan government, GSP missions and regular interaction with, for instance, the International Labour Organisation and stakeholders; - a dialogue on human rights.
“We will follow the situation closely”, she added, pointing out that, as part of the monitoring process, in which Parliament will play “a very important role”. An annual report will be submitted to the Parliament and the Council at the end of 2017 and the first monitoring mission to Sri Lanka will take place as early as September.
Acknowledging that there are “a number of shortcomings that need to be addressed”, Malmström said she was confident in the Sri Lankan government’s ability to implement tough reforms and she highlighted the “undeniable” improvement in the human rights situation with the new government and its resolve to act on repealing and replacing the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Thomas Mann (Germany), speaking for the EPP, expressed his group’s support for granting GSP+ status to Sri Lanka but he called for persistent problems, for example, anti-terrorist legislation that does not comply with the Convention on Human Rights, to be resolved, for the rights of children to be strengthened and for accusations against the Sri Lankan security forces to be investigated.
Agnes Jongerius (Netherlands) expressed the S&G Group’s “support in principle” for granting GSP+ status to Sri Lanka and she, too, called for a “range of issues to be settled”, such as the law on terrorism, the powers of the army and the human rights situation.
“Sri Lanka deserves the support of the international community and of Europe. GSP+ status gives it a real opportunity and an incentive, and the monitoring mechanism obliges the country’s authorities to comply with the international conventions”, argued Sajjad Karim (ECR, UK).
Speaking for the GUE/NGL Group, Anne-Marie Mineur (Netherlands) felt that the improvement in the human rights situation was “insufficient in practice” and she criticised the persistent breaches of labour rights and the harassment of trade unionists “in flagrant breach of ILO conventions”. She called for a definite roadmap for the effective implementation of the GSP+ requirements with Sri Lanka, just like the roadmap for Sri Lankan trade unions that seeks to ensure that workers, indeed, enjoy the benefits of GSP+. She also noted that, during her visit to the country, the government had pledged to ensure that at least 50% of the benefits of GSP+ status would go to Sri Lankan workers (see EUROPE 11768).
For the Greens/EFA Group, Jean Lambert (UK) called for “tough, effective monitoring” to make sure that the progress promised by Colombo is realised and that changes are made to the anti-terrorist law, stressing that a “deadline” should be agreed with Colombo. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)