Blog 6: Jailed Pussy Riot Member Moved After Hunger Strike

The decision has been given by Russian authorities to have Nadezhda Tolokonnikova moved to a new facility. Nadezhda was sent to a prison camp after being arrested just over a year ago for "hooliganism." Her crime was for her part in a performance of punk protest song, critical of Vladimir Putin and the Roman Orthodox Church. Russia has seen a crack down on "immoral behavior and offense to the Church." Tolokonnikova has recently complained of conditions in the camp and began a hunger strike to show her objection. Nadezhda has recently been hospitalized due to her hunger strike. She described poor working conditions, slave labor, and regular and frequent beatings if the women did not do as they were told. She warned that if she was sent back to the facility she would resume her strike.

Russia has been in the news with increasing frequency in regards to humans rights issues and abuses of power. The person in question here, Tolokonnikova, was a singer in a band and was jailed for being offensive to the church. Russia, a primarily catholic country, has become increasingly concerned with moral issues. The Roman Catholic Orthadoxy has a great measure of influence in the current administration and culture. Just recently more sanctions were placed on free speech in regards to homosexuality and atheism. Laws were written so loosely that anything deemed "offensive to church" could be actionable.
The labor camps that Russia uses have been a concern to human rights advocates for some time now. Political prisoners, dissenters, or anyone that ends up on the wrong side of the right man can end up in these facilities, and often do. People detained on a string of questionable charges typically reside here. The facilities themselves serve as symbols of fear and as an intended deterrent to dissenting opinion.
Tolokonnikova hopes to draw attention to these issues with her hunger strike, and has had some success. Her initial case was covered fairly heavily and people are still following her. With increased media attention and possible pressure from the global community Russia may be forced to change some of its policies. However, the past has shown that as country Russia tends to stand fast in the face of global criticism.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/world/europe/russia-pussy-riot-hunger-strike/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Aaron Fountain

10/18/2013

5:09 PM