EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)

Summary

The EU GSP+ provides enhanced tariff preferences to vulnerable developing countries conditional on effective implementation of 27 international conventions including human rights, labour rights and good governance instruments. Sri Lanka lost GSP+ status in 2010 due to non-compliance with three UN conventions (ICCPR, UNCAT, CEDAW). Sri Lanka is pursuing re-application.

Relevance to the diaspora

EU Tamil diaspora organisations campaigned successfully for the withdrawal of GSP+ from Sri Lanka in 2010; ongoing advocacy focuses on ensuring that any re-grant of GSP+ is conditioned on genuine PTA reform, release of Tamil political prisoners, and progress on accountability mechanisms.

Key provisions

• Art. 9 — GSP+ conditionality on 27 international conventions
• Art. 14 — monitoring and review procedure
• Art. 19 — temporary withdrawal for serious violations
• Annex VIII — list of 27 international conventions

Primary source

Related entries

• → UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) 2023 — replaces GSP/EBA (UK)
• → ICCPR Article 1 — Right of Self-Determination (UN)
• → Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1979 (Sri Lanka) (LK)