Turkey: The European Union has condemned the use of "disproportionate force" by Turkish police against women demonstrators in Istanbul on Sunday.
The foreign ministers of Luxembourg and Britain - who share the EU presidency this year - and enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn, asked the Turkish government to ensure that the incident would not be repeated.
"We were shocked by images of the police beating women and young people demonstrating in Istanbul in connection with International Women's Day," they said. "We condemn all violence, as demonstrations must be peaceful . . . on the eve of a visit by the EU, during which the rights of women will be an important issue, we are concerned to see such disproportionate force used against demonstrators."
Police, armed with truncheons and tear gas, charged a crowd of about 100 people who refused to disperse after an International Women's Day protest in Istanbul on Sunday. Television pictures showed police kicking protesters on the ground; one policeman beat a woman to the ground with his baton, then another ran up and kicked her in the face.
Luxembourg's foreign minister Jean Asselborn warned that the incident could affect Turkey's hopes of joining the EU.
"We have been very concerned to see such disproportionate use of force against demonstrators."
Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul promised a full investigation into the incident.
EU leaders agreed last December to start membership talks with Turkey later this year but the prospect of Turkish membership is unpopular in some EU States, notably France, Austria and the Netherlands.
Mr Rehn this week praised Turkey's efforts to comply with EU demands on human rights but warned Ankara: "Turkey has done very bold and significant reforms to improve human rights, and it is understandable that there is a breathing phase, but it is extremely important Turkey keep up the momentum in legal, political and increasingly economic reforms."