Showing posts with label Catherine Ashton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catherine Ashton. Show all posts

Monday, February 21, 2011

EU condemns the shooting of peaceful demonstrators in Libya



Amateur footage of supposed protests in Libya on YouTube uploaded day after deadly clashes.

© 2011 Reuters


Libya unrest. Photo Credit: Calgary

21 Feb 2011 12:46 Africa/Lagos


European Union / Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union on events in Libya

BRUSSELS, February 21, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union on events in Libya

"The European Union is extremely concerned by the events unfolding in Libya and the reported deaths of a very high number of demonstrators. We condemn the repression against peaceful demonstrators and deplore the violence and the death of civilians. We express our sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.
The EU urges the authorities to exercise restraint and calm and to immediately refrain from further use of violence against peaceful demonstrators. Freedom of expression and the right to assemble, as provided for in particular by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, are human rights and fundamental freedoms of every human being which must be respected and protected. The EU calls on the authorities to immediately cease the blocking of public access to the internet and mobile phone networks. The EU also calls
upon the authorities to allow media to work freely throughout the country.

The legitimate aspirations and demands of the people for reform must be addressed through open and meaningful Libyan-led dialogue.

The European Union expects full cooperation by the authorities in protecting EU citizens."


Source: European Union















































Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
21 Feb 2011
12:46European Union / Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union on events in Libya
12:45Urgent Appeal to Stop Atrocities in Libya sent by 23 NGOs to US President Obama, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 20 February 2011
12:4324 rights groups urge US and EU to confront Libyan massacres in UN Security Council and Human Rights Council / NGOs demand Libya's suspension from UNHRC; UN Watch calls for urgent dispatch of medical supplies to hospitals
20 Feb 2011
17:20AJC Denounces Deadly Violence of Libyan Regime
18 Feb 2011
21:46Leahy Comments on Attacks on Protesters and Journalists in the Mideast
15:00Game-Changer Scenarios in the Middle East and North Africa
17 Feb 2011
15:55Libya urged to end protest crackdown




Saturday, January 29, 2011

Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt

29, 2011




Thousands of Egyptians break a curfew to continue their protests against President Hosni Mubarak.

© 2011 Reuters


28 Jan 2011 21:23 Africa/Lagos


Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, today made the following statement on Tunisia:

"I spoke earlier today with the newly appointed Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ounaies.

I congratulated the Minister on his appointment and confirmed the EU's solidarity with the

Tunisian people in their efforts to build a stable and pluralistic democracy with full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. I expressed the EU's hope that the transitional Government will be able to organize free and fair democratic parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible. I welcomed the liberation of political prisoners and I stressed that freedom of association and legalization of all political parties are key components for the transition.

I confirmed the EU's readiness to provide its assistance and expertise for the preparation and organization of the electoral process and political reforms. I underscored the need to help and empower the civil society. The EU will review and update its strategy and assistance. I also emphasized the EU's commitment to continue our economic cooperation and the need for investors to redouble their confidence in Tunisia.

Minister Ounaies and I agreed to meet in the coming days.

The Tunisian Foreign Minister welcomed the EU's engagement and the offer to accompany his country's transition towards democracy with assistance."

Regarding the situation in Egypt, High Representative Ashton stated:

"I have followed very closely and with profound concern the reports of increased violence, clashes and arrests during today's demonstrations in Egypt.

The continued use of force against demonstrators by police and state security forces is deeply troubling. In order to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt, and to avoid more casualties, I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise restraint and calm and I urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful demonstrators from detention.

I also reiterate my call upon the Egyptian authorities to urgently establish a constructive and peaceful way to respond to the legitimate aspirations of Egyptian citizens for democratic and socioeconomic reforms.

I will discuss these developments with my colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on

Monday in Brussels."

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States

CONTACT: Silvia Kofler, +1-202-862 9523, or Kasper Zeuthen, +1-202-862 9530, both of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Web Site: http://www.eurunion.org


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
28 Jan 2011
21:23 Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt
20:29 Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Protests in Egypt and Global Internet Freedom
16:36 Egypt on the Brink of Revolution; EIN News Offers Complete Breaking News Coverage
16:18 In Support of the Egyptian People's Struggle to Achieve Freedom and Social Justice
27 Jan 2011
18:11 Statement by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the events in Egypt
15:00 2,200 Arab Scholars, Politicians, and Activists Issue Appeal for Human Rights and Democracy in the Arab World
04:42 US Press Secretary of the White House / Statement by the Press Secretary on Egypt