(New York) – Pakistani police have made massive arrests and made more arrests 4,000 people following protests over the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, including members of the political opposition, Human Rights Watch said today.
The police have arbitrarily arrested many of them members of the opposition political parties as well as people duly arrested for participating in the violence. Many have been charged under vague and overbroad laws that prohibit rioting and that create threats to public order. Pakistani authorities should release all those detained for peacefully protesting or supporting political opposition and respect the due process rights of all detainees.
“Pakistani authorities should end arbitrary detentions of political opposition activists and peaceful protesters,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Anyone who commits violence must be properly charged and have their rights to due process respected.”
Violence swept Pakistan after police arrested former prime minister Khan May 9, 2023, for corruption charges. Many of Khan’s supporters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, and in some cases used assault rifles to attack police and set fire to ambulances, police vehicles and schools. The police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and charged the protesters with batons. In the following days, police arrested hundreds of members of Khan’s political party, Tehrik-i-Insaaf, on charges of criminal intimidation, rioting and assault on government officials. On 12 May, Khan was released on bail.
A tense confrontation continued between police and Khan’s supporters in the city of Lahore, raising concerns of further violence. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials state that security forces must use the minimum necessary force at all times. In dispersing violent assemblies, firearms may be used only when less harmful means are not possible, and only to the minimum extent necessary. Law enforcement officers may only intentionally use deadly force when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life.
Turned on May 17the police arrested two former deputies, Shireen Mazari and Maleeka Bukhari. After the Islamabad High Court granted them bail, the police immediately re-arrested them on fresh charges. Mazari’s relatives said he has medical needs that require urgent attention. Authorities should release both women, drop all charges unless it is for a legally cognizable crime, and ensure Mazari has immediate access to medical care.
Pakistani law requires that all detainees be brought before a court within 24 hours, which is consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Pakistan is a party.
“The authorities should show restraint and respect for human rights and the rule of law,” Gossman said. “Fundamental guarantees of peaceful protest and due process should not fall victim to Pakistan’s political conflict.”
