The Australian government must stop looking the other way and stand up for the rights of environmental activists, Greens leader Christine Milne says.
Greenpeace protesters, including Tasmanian man Colin Russell, have been detained in Russia after authorities took against the crew of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise.
Mr Russell, the ship's radio room operator, is being held in the port city of Murmansk after his arrest at gunpoint on September 19 during a protest against oil drilling in the Arctic Circle.
"The Australian government must stand up not only for Australian citizens but for all the activists and the right to non-violent protest," Senator Milne told reporters in Hobart on Thursday.
The Arctic Sunrise was in international waters when it was boarded by Russian authorities, Senator Milne said.
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"On that basis I think the Australian government needs to stop looking the other way and stand up for Australian citizens," she said.
Mr Russell and 29 others from various countries have been detained while Russian authorities investigate the protest. Two have been charged with piracy, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years.
"Of course they are not pirates, they are peaceful activists who were raising international awareness of the risk to the Arctic of oil drilling from the Russian platform," Senator Milne said.
Australian consular officials have visited Mr Russell and confirm he's lodged an appeal against his detainment.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said it would send a senior official to Russia "to register Australia's interest in this case, underscoring our consular responsibility for Mr Russell".
Ms Bishop told AAP that Australians travelling overseas must take responsibility for their own actions, adding she won't be running a regular commentary on high-profile consular cases.
"Rarely is that in the interests of the person requiring assistance," she said.
Senator Milne acknowledged the consular support received by Mr Russell but said the Australian government should do more.
