Dressed in multi-colored suits, demonstrators in France are making a statement.

They've come together in Paris for the Sochi Winter Olympics but not in the spirit of competition.

Instead, they're raising concerns and condemning alleged abuses in Olympics host Russia.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) STEPHAN OBERREIT, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AMNESTY FRANCE, SAYING:

"People have an image of Russia of things getting better. No, there are problems in Russia and we have to remember that we're not just buying gas or selling weapons or technology to the Russians, having cultural exchanges. There's human rights violations and the wider public has to acknowledge this."

Protesters held up images representing repression against gays, prisoners, protesters and more.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said everything was being done so that visitors feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation.

But human rights groups are not buying