KARACHI: The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concern over the use of ‘excessive’ force by Pakistani authorities against tenant farmers protesting for land rights.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the watchdog urged the government to ensure that security forces followed the basic principles enunciated by the United Nations on the use of force and firearms.

The statement made a reference to a decision by the Okara administration last month to stop the Anjuman-i-Mazaraeen Punjab, a body which represents tenants, from holding a me­­eting.

Related: Okara tenants plead their case in ‘public court’

The police arrested Mehr Abdul Sattar, the AMP’s secretary general, and the district administration imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the gathering slated for April 17.

Eyewitnesses recall that police beat up and arrested a number of farmers after they protested Mr Sattar’s detention.

According to the HRW, police registered more than 4,000 cases under the penal code and the anti-terrorism law.

“In some cases, including that of Mehr Abdul Sattar, police are refusing to provide information about the whereabouts of those arrested,” said the Human Rights Watch. It amounted “to an enforced disappearance which was in violation of international law”, the HRW added.

“Individuals forcibly disappeared are at a grave risk of being tortured or otherwise ill-treated. Blocking a peaceful meeting, arresting organisers, and then using excessive force against demonstrators show a complete disregard for basic rights in a democratic society,” said HRW’s Asia Director Brad Adams.

He called upon the government to release those “wrongfully held”, provide information about the “disappeared” and call to account the soldiers and police who used excessive force.

Mehr Sattar’s brother speaks

Mr Sattar’s brother recounted the lead-up to the peasant leader’s arrest. “On April 16, I heard footsteps and loud noise coming from the front gate of our house,” said Mehr Abdul Jabbar, adding that he ran towards the gate and saw that around 40 to 50 police officers had broken into their house.

Related: Mehr Sattar’s arrest: LHC disposes of habeas corpus petition

According to Abdul Jabbar, the men dragged him and his brother out of the house. As many as 12 police vehicles lined the street. After some time, they took him (Mehr Sattar) away.

Abdul Jabbar claims that the police have refused to tell him the reason behind the arrest of his brother. However, officials of the district government told him that the arrest had been made under the Maintenance of Public Order.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2016