(New York) – Catherine Ashton, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, should address serious human rights concerns on her visit to Pakistan, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Ashton. Ashton is scheduled to start an official visit to Pakistan on June 5, 2012.
“The EU knows that Pakistan faces serious human rights challenges, including widespread killings, disappearances, and targeting ofreligious minorities,” said Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch. “Ashton should communicate to Pakistani authorities that ending the culture of abuse and discrimination is essential for Pakistan to have a meaningful relationship with the EU.”
