Pussy Riots Do It Again!

The world is no mood to accept dictatorship or power by wrong means. Vladimir Putin’s election to office of the President in Russia has been stated by the Russians as through unfair means. Pussy Riot, a Russian feminist punk-rock musical collective in Moscow, has been convicted for performing against Putin, through its song, Madonna, Drive Putin Away at an Orthodox cathedral in Moscow on February 21.

Only three out of the seven members have been arrested so far and charged with hooliganism. The band members have gained support internationally due to the harsh trials against them and a risk of a possible seven-year sentence.  However, according to Levada Center poll, only 44% of the Russians believed that the trials are harsh and unfair, while 17% believed it was not.

This incident only highlights the way the Russian government curtails the freedom to speech. Jane Buchanan, a senior researcher on Russia at Human Rights Watch in New York, said the band members were only exercising their right to free speech with their performance. "To face criminal changes with a heavy sentence is scandalous and it speaks volumes to the environment for free speech and political opinion that's critical of the government," she said.

With the arrest of the Pussy Riot members, the Russian government has sent out a message to activists across Russia that criticism of the government will not be entertained. We can only appeal to the Russian government to abhor its old ways, but it is of no use.