24/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU expresses concern at harassment of human rights defenders. In a press release from the spokesperson of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Thursday 24 March, the EU said: “We are witnessing a mounting pressure on independent Egyptian civil society organisations, in particular human rights organisations and defenders”. The EU has thus added its voice to the criticisms by the United Nations and 13 international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of the Egyptian government for its recent imposition of travel bans and asset freezes on human rights defenders. Measures such as these are “not in line with Egypt's commitments to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by its Constitution and enshrined in the EU-Egypt Association Agreement, which is the basis for our partnership”. (JK)