08/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a letter addressed to Commissioner Franco Frattini, the Hungarian Justice Minister, Jozsef Petretei, pointed out that the measures taken on 23 October by the police were necessary and justified. The minister's comment was in response to allegations that the police used excessive force during anti-government demonstrations for the 50th anniversary of the 1956 uprising (EUROPE 9297). Mr Petretei assured the Commissioner that respect of human rights is vital for his country and that the authorities were currently investigating the said violence on the part of the police. He finally asserted that the Commissioner would be kept informed on how the matter develops. (bc)