The UN denounced this Thursday episodes of “racism” in the evacuation of civilians of African and Asian origin from Ukraine and on their arrival as refugees in neighboring countries and demanded that the governments of the area take measures to put an end to them.
This Friday the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) did it, which has denounced that foreigners, mainly Africans, who try to flee Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion are discriminated against by the Ukrainian authorities when crossing the border.
According to the UN, Secretary-General António Guterres “is shocked by the numerous reports of racism, harassment and discrimination that people of different races have suffered when trying to leave Ukraine, as well as in neighboring countries when seeking refuge from the conflict”.
This was stated by spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, who on behalf of Guterres called on “all governments in the region to take action against any manifestation of racism and xenophobia.”
Priority to Ukrainian children and women
HRW says that interviews with three dozen citizens of Morocco, India, Nigeria, Uganda and Tunisia show “a pattern of blocking or delaying the boarding of foreigners on buses and trains, apparently to give priority to the evacuation of women and children. Ukrainians”.
The Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been called up and they are not allowed to leave the country.
HRW reminds that For years, Ukraine has received tens of thousands of students from African and Asian countries, who have now been trapped by the war unleashed by Russia, and try to escape.
“Ukrainian authorities should not discriminate on the basis of nationality or race, and neighboring countries should allow everyone to enter with a minimum of red tape,” Judith Sunderland, associate director for Europe and Central Asia at HRW, said in a statement.
The testimonies of students collected by the NGO HRW agree that the authorities either denied or hindered access to trains or buses or even asked them to get off them to make room for Ukrainians.
The Government of Nigeria and the African Union have denounced these situations and the United Nations has also reported episodes of “racism” in the evacuation of civilians of African and Asian origin from Ukraine. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
