Human Rights Organization Joins Calls on Russian Authorities to Release the Two Women Immediately and End Repression of Freedom of Expression

Contact: info@voiceproject.org

(New York) – In a statement issued by the The Voice Project today, the human rights organization has said it is protesting the decision by a Moscow court to uphold the two year sentences for Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova in the appeal of the initial Pussy Riot sentencing. The women had been arrested and charged with “hooliganism” for a protest song performance in a Moscow cathedral in February 2012 and were given two year sentences to be served in Russian labor camps. While a Moscow court overturned the original ruling Ekaterina Samutsevich who is being released on probation, the two year sentences for Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova have been confirmed.

“While were are pleased with the decision regarding Ekaterina’s release, upholding the two year sentences for Nadezhda and Maria is unconscionable. The Putin administration cannot claim to support system of free speech, due process and one where human rights are respected if these sentences stand, if a protest song performance lasting less that a minute can result in a two year sentence to a labor camp.

“We stand with Amnesty International, freepussyriot.org and human rights activists around the globe in calling for the immediate release of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina” -Hunter Heaney, Executive Director, The Voice Project

“As a world community, we simply can’t stand by passively and abide this decision regarding the two year sentences for Maria and Nadezhda. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any free society and those rights are being denied to the Russian people as evidenced by this decision.” -Anna Gabriel, Co-founder of The Voice Project

The Voice Project is a US based NGO which works to alleviate suffering, promote human rights and affect positive social change around the globe through the power of music and artistic expression.