Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the crackdown of demonstrations in Syria

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 18 March 2011

A 114/11

Statement by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton,

on the crackdown of demonstrations in Syria

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and

Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

"I am deeply concerned by the events in Damascus on 16 March whereby peaceful demonstrators

demanding the release of prisoners of conscience were violently dispersed by police and many of

them arrested and referred to justice.

I am calling on the Syrian authorities to ensure the protection of peaceful demonstrators and to

uphold the right to freedom of expression and assembly.

The detained peaceful demonstrators must be released immediately and unconditionally. Dialogue,

human rights and fundamental freedoms must prevail in accordance with Syria’s international

commitments."

____________________

P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - [email protected]

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected]

[email protected]

www.eeas.europa.eu

EN

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يعرب عن القلق العميق من قمع المتظاهرين السلميين في دمشق في 16 آذار/ مارس 2011.