KARACHI, Feb 21: Condemning the police violence against lawyers seeking the restoration of deposed judges and release of detained lawyers, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Thursday demanded that the lawyers’ demands be accepted immediately.

In a statement, HRCP office-bearers Zohra Yusuf and Iqbal Haider demanded that stern action be taken against police and other government officials involved in the firing, tear-gassing, arrests and other violent acts against the lawyers.

They said the excessive use of force by police, both in uniform and in plainclothes, against a peaceful gathering of lawyers of the city was a shameful attempt not on the lawyers’ movement but also to sabotage the democratic process arising from the elections.

They said it was obvious that the collaborators of the autocratic rule of President Pervez Musharraf were trying to destroy peace and harmony in the country to create serious problems for the elected parties and such acts were in violation of the constitution, human rights and civilized norms.

They said the HRCP supported the consistent struggle of the lawyers for the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and freedom of expression.