Russian Federation: The Pussy Riot case exemplifies use of traditional values to undermine human rights: Oral intervention at the 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council

It is unclear what is driving the Russian Federation’s initiative on traditional values; the recent persecution and prosecution of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich of Pussy Riot may provide an insight. Amnesty International considers the three members of Pussy Riot to be prisoners of conscience detained solely for the peaceful expression of their views, and they should be released immediately and unconditionally. The project to introduce traditional values into United Nations human rights discourse should therefore be rejected.

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