Brussels: The European Union has welcomed steps taken by Pakistan to improve its human rights record, including its ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Pakistan also signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Thursday, EuAsiaNews reported. "The steps taken by Pakistan represent a positive development," noted a EU presidency statement on Friday.
The 27-member European bloc encouraged Pakistan to "continue such positive developments and to further strengthen its cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms". The EU presidency currently held by Slovenia said it looks forward to the implementation of these legally binding human rights obligations by Pakistan.
