Brussels, 22/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU has strongly condemned the “violent repression” of peaceful protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in several towns in Syria over the last few days which have resulted in the deaths of several demonstrators. “The EU calls on the Syrian authorities to refrain from using violence and to listen to the legitimate aspirations of the people and address them through inclusive political dialogue and genuine reforms and not through repression”, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton says in a statement published on 22 March. Those responsible for the repression must be held accountable, she states. The EU also calls on Syria to respect its international commitments to human rights and fundamental freedoms. (H.B./transl.rt)