John Baird’s stance on Pussy Riot is an international embarrassment

Is the Harper government afraid to upset the apple cart in its dealings with Russia?

That seems to be the only logical explanation for foreign affairs minister John Baird's "low-key response" to last week's sentencing of Russian punk band Pussy Riot.

Three members of the punk band were sentenced to two years in prison on hooliganism charges for singing a song in Moscow's largest church that criticized President Vladimir Putin. Their trial has been globally denounced as an example of Russia's growing decline in tolerating dissent.

"We believe in every part of the world of sentencing having some relation to the serious nature of the crime," Baird said Monday according to The Canadian Press.

"Obviously, there's, I think, widespread concern that this was perhaps too much and that were perhaps political considerations. We support around the world independent judiciaries, and we certainly take note of what's happened."

The muted rebuke — if you can even call it that — is counter to what the international community has said about the women's two year sentence.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said the two-year sentences give to the women were "disproportionate" to the crime and added to the intimidation of opposition activists in Russia.

"Together with the reports of the band members' mistreatment during pre-trial detention and the reported irregularities of the trial, it (the verdict) puts a serious question mark over Russia's respect for international obligations of fair, transparent and independent legal process," Ashton said in a statement according to a Reuters article.

"This case adds to the recent upsurge in politically motivated intimidation and prosecution of opposition activists in the Russian Federation, a trend that is of growing concern to the European Union."

In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement: "While we understand the group's behaviour was offensive to some, we have serious concerns about the way that these young women have been treated by the Russian judicial system."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the sentence was "excessively harsh" and "not compatible with the European values of the rule of law and democracy to which Russia, as a member of the Council of Europe, has committed itself."

"A dynamic civil society and politically active citizens are a necessary precondition for Russia's modernisation, not a threat," she said.

And, again, according to Reuters, British Foreign Minister Alistair Burt said in a statement that the verdict "calls into question Russia's commitment to protect fundamental rights and freedoms."

What makes Baird's comments even more baffling is that one of the convicted band members is actually a Canadian permanent resident. According to the Toronto Star, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is married to Pyotr Verzilov, a dual Russian-Canadian citizen who went to high school in the Toronto-area.

[ Releated: Pussy Riot leader's Canadian connection evokes call for government support ]

So why is the usually outspoken Baird being so meek?

NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar suggested to CP that Baird is taking a pass on Pussy Riot as part of a broader attempt by the Harper government to thaw what have been icy relations with the Kremlin.

Whatever the case, Baird's comments are an international embarrassment, especially considering the public positions of other governments around the world.