The head of UN refugee agency UNHCR,听spoke out on Monday听against the 鈥渦gly reality鈥� that some refugees fleeing across the Ukraine border, and听Third Country Nationals,听have been subjected to racism and discrimination.
In a statement issued marking the听International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,听Filippo Grandi said that although he had been 鈥渉umbled鈥� by the outpouring of support seen by communities welcoming well over three million Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began, many minorities 鈥� often foreigners who had been studying or working there 鈥� had described a very different experience.
鈥淲e also bore witness to the ugly reality, that some Black and Brown people fleeing Ukraine 鈥� and other wars and conflicts around the world 鈥� have not received the same treatment as Ukrainian refugees鈥�, he said.
Unacceptable racism
鈥淭hey reported disturbing incidents of discrimination, violence, and racism. These acts of discrimination are unacceptable, and we are using our many channels and resources to make sure that all people are protected equally.鈥�
The听听chief noted that the refugee experience is universal, with 鈥渢he same pain and sorrow; the same loss and anguish; the same relief at finding safety and trepidation of an uncertain future鈥�, experienced by everyone on the run, 鈥渨ho also and equally deserve our compassion, our empathy, and our support.鈥�
鈥淲e can 鈥� and must 鈥� salute solidarity, while also resolutely condemning acts of discrimination and bias鈥�, Mr. Grandi declared.
He said it was important to 鈥渟it in the discomfort of recognizing that while our organization exists to safeguard the human rights of people forced to flee, some among us have experienced exclusion and inequity.
鈥楶arallel imbalance鈥�
鈥淲e must try to reconcile this internal contradiction as we also witness a parallel imbalance in the world. The war in Ukraine and the devastating humanitarian crisis it has caused also presents challenges and opportunities for continued commitment and diligence in the fight against racism and discrimination.鈥�
Mr. Grandi reiterated that many citizens from neighbouring countries - such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania - 听had provided 鈥渙verwhelming acts of welcome and compassion鈥�, opening hearts and their homes, to Ukrainians.
鈥淎 global wave of support has reminded us of our shared humanity and the power of solidarity. And while I and my colleagues at UNHCR see every day how host communities and families around the world exercise this solidarity鈥�, he said, 鈥渨e need to ensure that global responsibility sharing is strengthened for听all听refugees, no matter where they come from.鈥�
Active anti-racism
He added that anti-racism meant 鈥渁ctively identifying and opposing racism and racial discrimination. Today 鈥� and everyday 鈥� I call on all of us to raise our voices against policies, practices, and behaviours which exclude.鈥�
In his message听for the International Day, UN听Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres, said that 鈥渞ealizing the vision of a world free of racism and racial discrimination demands action every day, at every level, in every society.鈥�
He called on people every to unite around 鈥渙ur common humanity and speak as one for equality, justice and dignity for all.鈥�
