Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) three members of the Russian group Pussy Riot have been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for ‘hooliganism’ and ‘homosexual propaganda’ following a non-violent performance,

(ii) the Governments of the United States of America, Britain, France and Germany have denounced the sentences as disproportionate,

(iii) several laws recently passed in Russia restrict freedom of expression, severely punish dissent, ban pride marches and restrict gay rights, and

(iv) several Russian opposition leaders, including Mr Garry Kasparov and Mr Sergei Udaltsov, have been arrested for rallying in defence of Pussy Riot; and

(b) calls on the Government to express its concerns to the Russian Government regarding the intimidation and prosecution of opposition activists and the disproportionate sentence given to Pussy Riot.

Notice of motion altered on 20 August 2012 pursuant to standing order 77.

Question agreed to.