Green MEPs organised a reading in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to participate in a worldwide reading for Pussy Riot.

With negotiations on a new EU-Russia agreement ongoing, MEPs approved a report criticising the eagerness to reach an agreement. A Greens amendment calling for the release of members of punk band Pussy Riot was also overwhelming accepted.

For economic and strategic reasons, the EU is unfortunately all too ready to ignore major concerns with the Putin regime, which conflict with basic EU values. As the recent parliamentary elections revealed, Russia still fails to respect democratic norms.

The rule of law and human rights also remain major problems, with high profile cases like those of Mikhail Khordorkovsky and Pussy Riot underlining this.

Video of reading: