Russia: Bardot supports Pavlenko

In an exclusive interview with EU Reporter's  Anna van Densky, Brigitte Bardot (pictured) has expressed her support for the convicted and detained Russian animal-rights activist Victoria Pavlenko (38). “My heart is broken when I think about Victoria jailed. An animal-rights activist should be supported by the state, not oppressed, as they promote humanism for the benefit of all.” A head of her own foundation, French legendary movie star and animal-welfare advocate Bardot declared her intention to appeal directly to President Putin, demanding the unconditional release of Pavlenko. The decision re-enforced the enquiry of the European Parliament’s 110 MEP-strong animal welfare intergroup to address Duma with their concerns over Pavlenko’s fate.

The gloating of the pro-Kremlin press concerning Victoria’s Pavlenko ‘dog’s place’ on the floor in custody, locked together with another 50 detainees and fed with rotten fish, fired international protests against the sentence imposed on the animal-rights activist. One-a-half years in jail for handing a lost Labrador, belonging to a street beggar, to a specialized dog shelter is seen as being a Draconian punishment for Pavlenko, who has saved hundreds of stray animals, selflessly devoting her free time and personal resources to canines and felines in the streets of Moscow.

Victoria’s suffering brought about by her conditions in custody has triggered international action in her support.

During the monthly plenary meeting (17/12/2015) the Intergroup on Animal Welfare focused on concrete steps to clarify Pavlenko’s situation, addressing a letter to Duma requesting information on this first case of animal-rights activism detention, and thus the criminalization of animal rights activism.

Group Chairman Janucs Wojscekowski, a professional lawyer, renowned for his struggle against canine abuse in Romania, took an active part in the discussion – he suggested that both institutional and diplomatic channels should be engaged to support Pavlenko.

“The press reports are alarming, so is the information from human-rights group that was issued after visiting the cell in which Pavlenko is detained,” Wojscekhowski told EU Reporter.

Advertisement

“This is why I am calling for the quickest possible official enquiry, and I’m beginning it with my requests.”

Meanwhile, some of the MEPs who are already monitoring Pavlenko’s situation pointed towards the economic and political context of the conviction: a general blockage of welfare legislation by agricultural producers is seen as being a costly burden, and the political line of the Kremlin to suppress any form of activism is hindering the development of a genuine civil society.

“Mister Putin does not want any grass-roots activism, no human rights, no animal rights,” said Stefan Eck, giving his entire support to Pavlenko’s care for street animals.

However, at the moment, the attention of politicians and animal welfare groups is entirely focused on Victoria’s health, which is rapidly deteriorating in an overcrowded cell. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, she urgently needs special medical care, which is impossible to receive in the Russian detention centre that is notorious for its inhumane conditions.

The intergroup intends to include Victoria Pavlenko in the list of Russia’s human-rights defenders sharing a similar fate because animal-rights defenders are an integral part of a modern civil society.

The appeal of Brigitte Bardot to President Putin will be preceded in an official manner to the Embassy of Russian Federation in Paris; it will be also distributed to mass media and specialized NGOs.

“I ask you to send my support and the warmest regards to Victoria Pavlenko,” Bardot told EU Reporter. “She carries out the socially significant work of taking care of strays, an activity I have promoted relentlessly. Animal-rights activists are humanists par excellence. They deserve public respect and support. I’m disappointed by the decision of the Court and appalled by conditions in custody. Russia is known for its great philosophers and humanists, such as Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, Russian officials often quote them, however it is not in words but in actions that they should be the heirs to this great tradition of compassion. Taking care of animals is not a crime. That is why I’ll appeal to President Putin to liberate Victoria Pavlenko.”

Share this article: