Tell Russia to Free Pussy Riot!

[Seul]

"I am deeply concerned about the imprisonment of Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for performing a protest song in a cathedral as part of a feminist punk group “Pussy Riot”. The three young women have been found guilty of hooliganism under Article 213 of the Russian Criminal Code, for performing a protest song in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral on February 21, 2011. Since the three women's arrest, some of their family members as well as one of their lawyers have received threats. Even though the police and the Moscow Prosecutor's Office have been informed about these threats, there appears to be no investigation into the incidents. In addition, the tax authorities have reportedly blocked the bank account of the lawyers' association where the lawyer of one of the three women works.

Amnesty International has declared these women to be prisoners of conscience, for they are detained solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs. Therefore I respectfully urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. Furthermore, I call on you to immediately and impartially investigate threats received by the family members and lawyers of the three women and, if necessary, ensure their protection. Whether or not the women were involved in the performance in the cathedral, freedom of expression is a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and no one should be jailed for the peaceful exercise of this right.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter."

Take action at Amnesty International:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteap ... aid=517749

[Seul]

I am deeply concerned about the imprisonment of Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for performing a protest song in a cathedral as part of the feminist punk group “Pussy Riot” on February 21, 2012.

Reports indicate that Russian police are also hunting for two other members of Pussy Riot in relation to the cathedral performance. The two-year prison sentence handed down to Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is far too severe, and arresting other members of the group would only add to this injustice.
The cathedral performance was a peaceful protest against President Vladimir Putin and those leaders of the Orthodox Church who have supported his repressive tactics. While it is true that many Russians were offended by Pussy Riot’s actions, the women never incited violence and they do not deserve prison terms. They were prosecuted for political reasons and they are prisoners of conscience.
I call on you to immediately stop the search for the two other members of Pussy Riot who performed in the cathedral. It is up to you to uphold the fundamental right to freedom of expression in Russia and ensure that there are no additional arrests or trials related to this case.

Take action at Amnesty International:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.6oJC ... 1208EAIAR4