Protest in Dublin to coincide with Russian Olympic flame

As the Olympic flame makes it way to Russia, Amnesty International activists are highlighting human rights abuses there.

The 2014 winter games are taking place in Sochi and the human rights organisation is raising awareness of abuses against gay people in Russia.

They are demanding that President Vladimir Putin repeal discriminatory new laws.

In Dublin, protestors have gathered at the top of Grafton Street and will be there until 4pm this afternoon.

"Other activists around the world… are also holding events, so you'll be standing in solidarity with them," said Colm O’Gorman, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland.

"Use your voice to demand change in Russia."

Russian president Vladimir Putin has lit the Olympic flame on Red Square for the 123-day relay to Sochi for the Winter Games.

The flame then set out on a ceremonial loop through the Kremlin, with 11 torch-bearers participating in today’s relay.

In the coming days, the flame will be paraded around Moscow before beginning its journey across Russia, the longest relay in the history of the Winter Games.

The flame will travel from the western exclave of Kaliningrad to the easternmost point just across the Bering Strait from Alaska, before swinging back through the vast country to Sochi in time for the opening ceremony on February 7.

One of the Olympic torches, unlit, will be carried into space in November for a brief visit to the International Space Station.