 Amnesty International called the conviction “ a bitter blow for freedom of expression ” . Hugh Williamson , of Human Rights Watch , stated that the “ charges and verdict … distort both the facts and the law .... These women should never have been charged with a hate crime and should be released immediately . ” ARTICLE 19 , Freedom House , and the International Federation for Human Rights also issued statements condemning the sentence . On September 21 , 2012 , the Feminist Press published an e @-@ book entitled Pussy Riot ! A Punk Prayer for Freedom to raise funds for the legal defense team . 
