Three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot received two year prison terms after being convicted of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” for participating in an anti-Kremlin church protest (NBC News).
In February, the three band members staged a protest against Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s main cathedral, during which they called upon the Virgin Mary to protect them against Putin, who was elected president two weeks later. The band, which was formed shortly after Putin decided to once again seek the presidency, often holds impromptu performances, during which they dance wearing colorful balaclavas–similar to ski masks–covering their faces as a form of political protest. What got them in trouble this time was the venue they chose.
The women insist their protest on the altar of Christ the Savior Cathedral was a political one, not meant to be seen as blasphemous. But prosecutors accused them of conducting “devilish dances” and committing an act of sacrilege against the Russian Orthodox Church (Huffington Post). One of the most disturbing parts of the judge’s ruling involves the charge of religious hatred, which was apparently leveled against the women because they are considered feminists. In delivering the formal ruling, Judge Marina Syrova stated: “The court does find a religious hatred motive in the actions of the defendants by way of them being feminists who consider men and women to be equal” (The Guardian). While the judge insists that men and women have equal rights and equal opportunities under the Russian constitution, she goes on to explain that this does not hold true within the church: “People who consider themselves feminists presently struggle for actual equality [for women]. These activities are not considered criminal in accordance with the Russian law. At the same time, Orthodox Christianity, and Catholic Christianity and other denominations do not agree with feminism and their own values are not in line with feminists” (The Guardian). Therefore, these women exhibited religious hatred, and as a result, they will each spend two years in prison.
Many Russians are beginning to question the close ties between church and state, as well as the apparent crackdown on freedom of speech following Putin’s election. Just yesterday, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who had previously called Putin’s election as president “a miracle of God,” claimed that the church and state are bound by a common agenda, and in referencing the trial, he stated that any “normal state” would share the Church’s interest in “questions of morality” (Reuters).
When the separation of church and state is not honored in a free society, and one religious denomination has a privileged relationship with the ruling government, individual freedoms can quickly erode. It appears this is the case for the women of Pussy Riot, who will now have to spend two years in prison for speaking out against putting a former KGB spy back into the office of president and for daring to be feminists.
