LGBTI: MEPs call for protection to transgender rights defenders in Pakistan

Brussels, 7 December 2020 – In a letter sent to the government of Pakistan signed by 28 MEPs, including Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA), Pakistani authorities are urged to ensure effective protection to transgender rights defenders. 

“We urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure effective protection be provided to transgender rights defenders in order to allow them to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions,” write the signatories. 

They also highlight that, as part of their Five Year Engagement signed in 2017, the European Union and Pakistan have a commitment “based on the principles of the UN Charter, International norms and law“ and that such principles and norms include the right to life, the protection of human rights defenders, the right to non-discrimination, the prohibition of torture, among others.  

The letter mentions recent events like the killing of Beenish, the kidnapping of Heera Malik, and the brutal physical assault of Nayyab Ali, and the MEPs say they are deeply disturbed by “the lack of action on the part of the authorities to hold perpetrators to account”. 

Read the full letter below.

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