The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has denied cases of racism and discrimination against Africans and blacks fleeing the country following Russia invasion.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry said there is no discrimination based on the race or nationality, “including when it comes to the crossing of the state border by foreign citizens”.
“The first come first served approach applied to all nationalities. There is also a standard procedure of documentation applied, with certain humanitarian exceptions allowed for women and children,” the statement said.
However, videos shared online show Ukrainian civilians, police and military denying blacks access to trains evacuating people from the troubled regions. They are also being refused the right to cross over to neighbouring countries.
This has drawn condemnation from the African Union and individual states such as Nigeria and Kenya, as well as reaction by the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Nigeria has condemned racism against Black people fleeing Ukraine, including a woman and baby forced to give up seats on an evacuation train, while South Africa reports Africans “treated badly” at Poland’s border. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s office said all foreign nationals trying to reach Poland should be “treated with dignity and without favour”.
A Nigerian man told the BBC: “We’ve been hit with police armed with sticks.”
Kenya, on the other hand, condemned racism against Africans fleeing from war in Ukraine, at border points with neighbouring countries and in the media.
Addressing the UNSC on Monday, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Martin Kimani called for non-discrimination against humanitarian responses.
“… it has been deeply disturbing to observe the racism that has characterized the expressions of solidarity in parts of Europe. Prominent figures in multiple media channels are expressing their solidarity in shockingly racist terms,” Ambassador Kimani said.
He added that the voices are pushing demeaning narratives that violent conflicts only belong to the global South.
The African Union said it is disturbed by reports that African citizens on the Ukrainian side are being refused the right to cross the border to safety.
As such, it said, everyone should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.
“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach international law. In this regard, the chairpersons urge all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity,” the statement said.
In a statement the AU said the chairman and Senegal President Macky Sall and African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki said all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict.
Statement of the African Union on the reported ill treatment of Africans trying to leave #Ukraine https://t.co/wRULm2OfkL : #AfricansinUkraine pic.twitter.com/zZ8WpoCsP3
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) February 28, 2022
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said, “All people in need, regardless of their nationality or their skin color, fleeing violence in Ukraine, are granted access to the EU”.
But the Ukraine government said it has requested its relevant agencies to step up support to foreign citizens, including students, wishing to return to their home countries or move to third countries due to the Russian military invasion.
“In particular, the Ukrainian government is doing its best to facilitate their passage at the state border which has become overwhelmed with the massive influx of people fleeing Russia’s armed aggression. Temporary volunteer assistance points have been set up at the border to provide foreign students with food and cater for other humanitarian needs,” it said.
It also advised that as active fighting continues, it is more secure for foreign students to stay at their places of residence in Ukraine.
The government also cited “Russian disinformation” for claims of racism, calling on states to demand from President Putin that he stops immediately his war against Ukraine, “which will be the best way to secure the safety and security of their citizens in Ukraine”.
