Brussels, 10/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has expressed her concern at the sentencing to 11 years' imprisonment of the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Ms Narges Mohammadi. "The sentence against Narges Mohammadi is yet another example of unjust persecution of those who show the courage and determination to stand up for human rights in Iran", her spokesperson stated in a press release dated 8 October. Catherine Ashton also expressed concern at the state of health of the Executive Chair of the Centre for Human Rights Defenders and the fact that she may not be receiving the medical attention she needs. The head of diplomacy has already called on Iran on several occasions to respect the work of lawyers and human rights defenders, the spokesperson reiterated. (CG/transl.fl)