A Question of Consistency and Justice: An Open Letter to President Putin

Honorable Vladimir Putin
President
Russian Federation

Dear Sir:

I am writing to your person to once again humbly request for the immediate release of the ARCTIC 30 and the PUSSY RIOT ROCK band from detention.

Specifically I am appealing to your conscience and humanity to please produce in person Nadya Tolokonnikova of the said band who is gone missing.

I certainly believe that that is her right, so as her family base on the habeas corpus rule, sanctioned and adhered to by international law and universal humanitarian convention.

Needless to state, I am one of the million people all over the world that is concern and utterly worried about her condition, status and overall wellbeing!

To quote the earlier petition prepared by the Watchdog.net for you calling for her release:

“On October 21, the jailed Pussy Riot member was taken from her prison colony in Mordovia for protesting the jail’s “slave-like” conditions by Russian authorities. While en route to a new prison, the 23-year-old disappeared — and Nadya’s family still has no proof she’s even alive.

“At best, Nadya has been cut off from the outside world, the only legal way Putin has left to torture Pussy Riot and their families. At best, Nadya is mutilated or dead — and the least we’re willing to demand is answers.

“Don’t let Nadya become another one of Vladimir Putin’s victims. If she’s still alive, raising our voices will help keep her that way, forcing him to reveal her whereabouts and comfort her loved ones.”

We cannot wait and we cannot keep our silence with regard to this issue which in my view is so impressed not only with the question of justice, but also of global public interest and universal humanity!

Hence, Mr. President, the purpose of this letter/petition is to ask you and your government to please “tell us the truth about what’s happened to Nadya Tolokonnikova, and let her family know where she is and if she’s alright” and to demand the release of her other band mates and so as the rest of the ARCTIC 30!

Sir, we stand firmly united against the powers of evil oppressing humanity. We perfectly know where we stand on this issue and we also know the powers that be that we are confronting, yet be not deceived: this war we win, because the basis of this struggle, our struggle is just and moral!

Sir, last September 11th, you wrote an open letter to the American people castigating their government for their militarism, imperialism and exceptionalism.

I fully concur with your thoughts and views, now we demand that you show the whole world that you are made from a different stock from that of Dubya and Obama. Release the ARCTIC 30 and so as the PUSSY RIOT ROCK band!

Practice what you preach and do what you said!

Sir, if you can give Eric Snowden the right of political asylum and refuge, I cannot see any reason why you cannot also do the same thing for those Greenpeace activists and radical musicians?

Sir, I commend you with regard to the thing that you did with Mr. Snowden, however, I cannot say the same with regard to your policy to the PUSSY RIOT Rock band and so as the ARCTIC 30!

The ultimate question here is: WHY?

Sir, are you, like Dubya and Obama also engaged into the business of selective justice and the practice of inconsistent adherence to the international human rights law?
Mr. President, two days ago, the ARCTIC 30 marked their 50th day on prison, while the PUSSY RIOT Rock Band are in detention for nearly two (2) years now, worst one of their member, Nadya Tolokonnikova is missing.

Sir, we demand the truth about Nadya and all of those incarcerated individuals!

We humbly request for their immediate and prompt release.

If not, Sir, no have no choice but to declare to the whole international community, the brutal sad fact and grim truth that: You, Dudya and Obama are all the same!

So let it be written. So let it be done.

In the immortal words of Margaret Mead:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Respectfully yours,

Jose Mario Dolor De Vega

Philosophy lecturer
College of Arts and Letters
Polytechnic University of the Philippines

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