26/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - Ashton welcomes overturning of flogging sentence on young girl. On 24 August, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the decision of the Maldivian High Court to overturn the flogging sentence on a 15-year old girl who was a victim of abuse. Ashton encouraged the government of the Maldives to strengthen the protection of women and children. She stressed the importance of complying with international human rights obligations, added Ashton's spokesperson in a press release. The teenage girl was sentenced in March to 100 lashes and eight months' house arrest, after she admitted to having sexual relations before marriage. The girl had reportedly long been a victim of sexual abuse (see EUROPE 10798). (CG/transl.fl)