The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the government to uphold human rights while prosecuting the “more than 4,000 people” arrested in the wake of violent protests that followed former premier Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9.

In a statement released today, HRW associate Asia director Patricia Gossman has said, “The Pakistani authorities should end their arbitrary arrests of political opposition activists and peaceful protesters.”

Highlighting concerns about further violence between the police and PTI supporters, the HRW has said: “In dispersing violent assemblies, firearms may only be used when using less harmful means are not practicable, and only to the minimum extent necessary.”

It has mentioned the United Nation’s Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to call on the government to “display restraint and respect for human rights and the rule of law”.