The National LGBT Federation (NXF) staged the largest-ever protest to take place outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin yesterday, to protest the reported detention, torture and murder of gay men in Chechnya.
Gardaí confirmed attendance of over 200 at the demonstration outside the embassy in Rathmines, Dublin, say organisers.
“The religious and socially conservative region of Chechnya is attempting to purge its society of gay men and Russia is so far turning a blind eye and allowing it to happen,” said protest organiser Dearbhla Mealy.
“We are protesting at the Russian Embassy because Chechnya is a federal republic of Russia. It has no independent presence on the international stage and it has no diplomatic presence in other countries. In terms of international relations, Russia speaks for Chechnya.
“We want to send a message that Ireland stands in solidarity with our community in Chechnya and we will not sit still as these human rights violations take place.”
(Photo credit: Michael FitzGerald, Clontarf Media)
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