There has also been a rise in the number of homophobic murders in Russia. Last month a 39 year old man was stabbed and trampled to death by three men before having his body thrown into his car and set alight. This follows the "suspected" homophobic murder of Vladislav Tornovo, a 23 year old boy who was found naked and beaten after being raped with beer bottles.
Now I want to talk about "Putin's Russia." When this abhorrent persecutor returned to the Kremlin a year ago Russia and the International community expected oppression to follow quickly. He is restricting peoples rights to protest, arresting opposition and weeding out any politicians who represent a threat to his increasingly autocratic rule. Several formerly senior figures of the Russian government have already fled to Europe. We live in a world today with increased communications and (theoretically) ideals. As a result Putin and his government are trying to place stricter restrictions on the internet and human rights groups (for example with the implementation of this new law.) Kirill Rogov (an opposition observer) said "The Kremlin is trying to destroy the infrastructure of the protest movement." I now ask myself one question ... Where is the International Community? Where is Obama? Where is the German-centric powerhouse that is Angela Merkel? What are they doing to stop this atrocity?
The answer is very little. Traditionally America has always taken a firmer stance with Russia, insisting that the west should support human rights and democracy while Europe and Germany in particular (Russia's largest trading partner) have favoured peace and a stable relationship over the rights of the Russian people. However, Obama argues that today he needs Russia to help fight terrorism and to sort trouble spots in the middle east. Meanwhile Angela Merkel has been seen to be more outspoken in addressing Putin's oppressive regime. (If you haven't seen the video of the femen protesters storming Merkel and Putin after the arrest of pussy riot then you have got to watch it now! Merkel made a wonderful comment about rights and protests afterwards aimed at Putin but I cannot find it anywhere to quote for you)
The reasons as to why Obama (and Merkel) is wrong to use appeasement when dealing with Putin, apart from the OBVIOUS fact that it will result in millions loosing their rights, their voice, their representation, their protection and their LIVES, is because Russia needs a good relationship with the west as much as the west needs it. They are conscious of their assets, relationships and business deals with the West and they have to work on maintaining this relationship equally. The West can afford to push back on Russia , which is why I am DISGUSTED and shocked by the fact that America and Germany refuse to go into Syria despite the clear use of chemical weapons.
If the west put pressure upon Putins vile regime and showed open opposition by defending their democratic values and supporting Putins opposition, would empower and encourage opposition to autocratic governments all around the world. It is NOT a battle that cannot be won, as has been proved by the rapidly shifting political landscape of the Islamic world. Finally, I would like to leave you with the closing statement of the Economists article "Tougher Love Needed" it says
"One day change will come to Russia - as it will to Syria. When that happens among the losers will be those who appeased or backed the dictators. It is far better for Mr Obama to identify himself strongly with those who embrace the West's values, in Russia as everywhere else."
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