US, Europe condemn two-year sentences for Pussy Riot

US, Europe condemn two-year sentences for Pussy Riot 

Members of the all-girl punk band Pussy Riot in court. They have been found guilty of hooliganism. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

A supporter of  Pussy Riot gives the 

bird in Barcelona yesterday.   Source: AFP

THE US has led the global condemnation of the two-year sentences given to Russian punk band Pussy Riot, as supporters of the women grabbed balaclavas and took to the streets in protest around the world.

The sentences were called “disproportionate” by the US in a criticism echoed by Britain, France and the European Union, which all used the same word in condemning the punishment handed down for the band's ‘punk prayer’ against Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.

“The United States is concerned about both the verdict and the disproportionate sentences ... and the negative impact on freedom of expression in Russia,'' said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. “We urge Russian authorities to review this case and ensure that the right to freedom of expression is upheld.''

Band members Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich were each found guilty of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” for their February 21 protest in Moscow's biggest cathedral.

 

In Britain, Alistair Burt, a junior foreign minister, said he was deeply concerned by Russia's response to “an expression of political belief''.

“We have repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to protect human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, and apply the rule of law in a non-discriminatory and proportionate way,” Burt said. “Today's verdict calls into question Russia's commitment to protect these fundamental rights and freedoms.''
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the sentences “excessively harsh'” and chastised Russia for not living up to “the values of European law and democracy''.

“Dynamic civil society and politically active citizens are necessary for Russia's modernisation and are not a threat to the country,'' Merkel said.

In an unusually firm reaction, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton called on Moscow to overturn the punishment.

“This case adds to the recent upsurge in politically motivated intimidation and prosecution of opposition activists in the Russian Federation,'' Ashton said. “I expect that this sentence will be reviewed and reversed in line with Russia's international commitments.

Ashton said the case put a “serious question mark over Russia's respect for international obligations of fair, transparent and independent legal process''.

French foreign ministry spokesman Vincent Floreani said the transgressions were “minor acts” when compared with the punishment.

Meanwhile, one of the largest Christian churches in the world called for Russian authorities to show mercy on the three members of feminist punk band.

The Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement: “Without doubting the legitimacy of the court ruling, we ask the state authorities to show mercy for the convicted within the framework of the law in the hopes that they will refrain from repeating their sacrilegious acts”.

The church's highest council also indicated in the statement that it was hoping the women would repent for their behaviour.

“It is important to separate sin from the sinner, condemning the former and hoping for repentance from the latter,'' the statement said.

Following the sentencing, protesters took to the streets in cities around the world including London, Kiev, Barcelona, Sofia, Brussels, Paris and New York.

Many protesters wore bright balaclavas, a tribute to the knitted facemasks Pussy Riot wore at their protest.
In Ukraine, a topless feminist with the words ‘Free Riot’ written above her breasts used a chainsaw to cut down a towering wooden cross erected in memory of the victims of Stalin's repression.

Bolstering the protests were appeals from Beatles star Paul McCartney, pop icon Madonna and a 10,000-person petition gathered by Amnesty International attacking Putin's growing crackdown on dissent.

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