Ashton calls for immediate reversal of Egypt's mass death sentences

The European Union condemned the mass death sentences handed down by Egypt’s Minya Court on Monday.

EU’s foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement Tuesday that the mass sentences “are clearly in breach of international human rights law.”

“The exact charges against each defendant remain unclear, the proceedings lack the most basic standards of due process and the verdicts appear grossly disproportionate,” she added.

Furthermore, Ashton expressed concerns regarding “a very worrying trend regarding the compliance of Egypt with its international human rights obligations,” and “the seriousness of Egypt’s transition towards democracy which requires a legal and judicial framework respecting international human rights standards.”

“The EU calls on the Egyptian authorities to immediately reverse this trend,” she added.