The European Commission has called Turkey to address urgently significant failings on human rights and democracy. An annual report on Turkish prospects for EU membership says there have been serious setbacks in the past two years on freedom of expression. It also says that the independence of the judiciary had been undermined and that new laws run against EU standards. The report's publication comes at a time when the EU needs Turkey's help in trying to control the refugee crisis. Turkey's ministry for EU affairs called the comments unfair and excessive. The BBC's Brussels correspondent said the key findings are a direct criticism of Turkey's powerful president. In Turkey there are now ongoing and new criminal cases against journalists, media writers and social media users. There is intimidation of journalists and media outlets as well as authorities blocking websites without a court order. All these are of considerable concern.