Amnesty International held a vigil in support of and remembrance of the victims of Ukraine earlier today in Dublin city centre.
The vigil took place outside Stephen's Green Shopping centre.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O'Gorman said that other vigils took place in Cork and Donegal.
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Mr O'Gorman said: "The vigils came about because our local groups our members wanted a moment to stand in solidarity with people in Ukraine.
"Obviously Amnesty since the illegal invasion of Ukraine have been monitoring what is happening on the ground in Ukraine.
"So we've been documenting evidence of war crimes and other illegal actions by the Russian forces who have invaded Ukraine our crisis team continue to monitor that, and then also we're working to ensure there is proper support for Ukrainian refugees when they leave Ukraine and indeed for other people living in Ukraine."
Mr O'Gorman said that Amnesty International wants to make sure that non-Ukrainian nationals leaving the country also receive support.
"There are about half a million people living in Ukraine who are not Ukraine nationals so we want to make sure they also have the same access and protection as Ukrainian nationals, so we're gratified to see the EU has stepped up to do what it should do in this case and we're also monitoring that very closely indeed."
Mr O'Gorman said: "This evening is about solidarity because we know solidarity matters hugely to people in Ukraine.
"Our colleagues in Amnesty Ukraine some of them are still in Kyiv, others have had to leave the country, they're telling us how important it is that Ukrainians see actions of solidarity. Yes they need aid, yes they need support, those are critical important things.
He added: "People need to continue to step up to support Ukrainians when they arrive here in Ireland."
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