Why the EU's GSP+ Decision on Sri Lanka Matters

A Trade Deal With Strings Attached

The EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) gives Sri Lanka preferential access to European markets, largely benefiting its garment export industry. In exchange, the scheme requires the country to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance.

That condition is the reason GSP+ matters to our advocacy. It is one of the few mechanisms where continued economic benefit is formally tied to human rights performance — which means monitoring and enforcement, done seriously, can create real pressure.

What We Ask For in Brussels

In our meetings with MEPs and EU officials, IDCTE consistently makes the same case: Sri Lanka's continued militarization of the North-East, its failure to deliver credible accountability for the final phase of the war, and its ongoing restrictions on Tamil civil society are inconsistent with GSP+ conditions. We push for a rigorous, independent review — and for withdrawal to remain a credible threat rather than a formality.

Leverage, Not Punishment

We're often asked whether pushing for withdrawal risks hurting ordinary workers. It's a fair question, and one we take seriously. Our position is that GSP+ conditionality only works as leverage if it is actually enforced — a scheme that never results in consequences, regardless of performance, stops functioning as an incentive for reform at all. The goal is to use the mechanism as designed, not to abandon it.

Read more about our advocacy work in Our Work.