01/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - EU calls for respect of freedom of expression. On 31 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton expressed her concern about reports of a recent wave of arrests of journalists and news editors in Iran, and of raids on five newspaper offices, Ashton's spokesperson stated. He added that Ashton has been informed of pressure in Iran on family members of BBC Farsi journalists based in London, and of the circulation of defamatory material about these journalists. Stating that “such actions would constitute acts of politically motivated intimidation, particularly worrying in light of the approaching presidential elections in Iran”, Ashton called on the Iranian authorities to thoroughly investigate these cases and clarify the charges that have been brought against the journalists. She recalled that the right to freedom of expression, including the right of any individual to seek, receive and share information, is an internationally enshrined fundamental human right. (CG/transl.fl)