Limerick protest in solidarity with persecuted LGBT community in Chechnya

Over 50 people turned out in Limerick’s city centre recently to protest at human rights abuses against members of the LGBT community in Chechnya.

Mr Gay Limerick, Dr Christian Moretti organised the protest with the chairperson of the Limerick Pride Festival, Louise McCormack.

Dr Moretti stressed the importance of mainstream media addressing what’s happening in Russia while also holding the Irish Government to account.

“We wold like the government to put sanctions on Russia, to give asylum to the people in danger, and we would like the government to stop these barbaric acts from happening in Chechnya.”

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta broke the story last month that over one-hundred gay men had been ‘arrested and brutally tortured’ in Chechnya because of their sexual orientation.

Limerick Senator and Sinn Féin politician, Paul Gavan was also in attendance last Saturday on Bedford Row.

“We’ve got a tremendous track record in relation to gay rights here in Ireland in the last number of years, something we need to be proud of, but it’s de-valued if we’re not willing to stand-up for the gay community in Chechnya today.”

* This story and video were developed as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Irish Examiner and the Univeristy of Limerick.