Discrimination and racism against third country nationals fleeing Ukraine must end: IOM Director General

Geneva – I am alarmed about verified credible reports of discrimination, violence and xenophobia against third country nationals attempting to flee the conflict in Ukraine.

Let me be clear, discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality or migration status is unacceptable. I deplore any such acts and call on States to investigate this issue and address it immediately.

Men, women and children from dozens of nationalities, including migrant workers and students living in Ukraine are facing acute challenges as they attempt to leave conflict-affected areas, cross borders into neighboring countries and seek life-saving assistance.

We are receiving reports of discrimination resulting in heightened risk and suffering.

Neighboring States need to ensure that all those fleeing Ukraine, are granted unhindered access to territory, regardless of status and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Protection and immediate assistance must be provided in a non-discriminatory and culturally appropriate manner, in line with the humanitarian imperative, to all conflict affected people throughout their journey to safety.

I welcome the European Commission’s proposal to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to assist people fleeing Ukraine and call on Member States to ensure the inclusion of third country nationals in such protection measures.

In all cases, IOM is committed and ready to assist its Member States and partners to ensure an inclusive response to the humanitarian needs and crisis in Ukraine in line with internationally recognized practices captured by the Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster.

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15 Comments

  1. Thick Skinned
    March 7, 2022

    There has to be something extra-ordinary and very special about black and brown folks that illicits such hate and “Cain vs Abel” treatment from “others”. We need not understand and embrace our special dispensation in order to value those who look like us more. Remember charity (and love) begins at home. Sadly, we have become like sitting ducks in strange lands.

    • Merlin
      March 9, 2022

      You shouldn’t take it personal. I’m yet to read any hate here. I suspect it’s reaction to the other people – whom you didn’t mention, who brought us to this “strange land”, that maintain the status quo thru religion, education and mass media. Some of us are privileged and benefit but most do not, so just bear with them a bit you’ll be ok.

  2. Man bite dogs
    March 6, 2022

    To be honest I am not surprised by that report of the eastern Europeans authoritys most not all are far rights spreading all over Europe and the USA apart from the UK that is doing something about it.Racism against mankind is a nasty thing because of colour of your skin or culture is a uncivilized and is unacceptable.

  3. Ibo France
    March 5, 2022

    Every European country with no exception is racist. That’s a long established fact. However, the countries of Eastern Europe, which are former members of the Soviet Union, are particularly racist. Their populations are 99.999% White. They regard Blacks as less than human.

    We of Black/African ancestry should try to lift each other, help one another to rise to our fullest potential. Paradoxically instead, we are our own worst enemies.

    Look at what currently obtains in Dominica. Roosevelt ‘I Run Things’ Skerrit treats the Chinese with special care and affection, giving them royal treatment. Conversely, his native countrymen are pauperised, victimised, brutalized, ostracisedand some even meet their demise.

    A black man is an endangered species not only in foreign places but even in his own land of birth.

  4. Gone Are The Days
    March 4, 2022

    Translation: Nothing is going to be done. It’s Africans. As long as he/IOM didn’t mention Africa by name, which the U.N has already mentioned as “Racism against Africans”, and instead he says 3rd countries,.. you kno already. Same as in America when they do not intend to fix anything for Black people, they say “people of colour” or minorities, of which wyt women become the biggest beneficiaries.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  5. I Lie?
    March 3, 2022

    First there was “Third World” and now we have “Third Country”. Racism and discrimination by any other name is still the same. Clever catch phrases do not make this abhorrent mindset and practice any less dangerous and despicable.

    Apparently not even a major global crisis like Russia’s assault on Ukraine can temper the wicked hatred in hearts of the prejudice. Clearly they see color first even in the most desperate of times.

    Thankfully the Most High will most certainly deal with those who treat their fellow humans as a reproach and less than simply because of the color their skin.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Rotten&Wicked
      March 4, 2022

      Don’t forget, these are the kind of people Skerrit has been selling Dominica to. Dominicans are beginning to step up with strong resistance against what the son of Lucifer (Skerrit ) is doing. Most of these wicked foreigners hold our passports will either burn them, or throw them away. Because Dominicans aren’t going back to those dark days. We will stand up for our people and Country. There should be a ban on Europeans coming to Dominica for any reason. They don’t like us! So guess what they are coming for…To continue sucking whatever little resources we have left. They are parasites just as the Chinese. We want to be left alone.

    • foreign observer
      March 5, 2022

      “Third World” and “Third Country” do not mean the same thing. “Third Country” is a legal term used in migration matters and applies to all who are neither citizens or residents of two bordering countries. Thus if someone is neither Polish nor Ukrainian they are “third country nationals” – regardless of which country they come from.

      “Third World” is a term referring to the economic development of a nation, and has now largely fallen into disuse. Replaced by “Less Developed Country (LDC)”, also rapidly declining in favour of “Developing State”.

      Nonetheless, most countries in Europe – East and West – do display discrimination and prejudice towards people of colour (PoC), regardless of skin colour. It applies equally to their own nationals and minorities, not just foreign nationals and immigrants. Roma (Gypsies) are particular targets throughout Europe, and have been for hundreds of years. There is also significant anti-Semitism and growing anti-Muslim sentiment.

      • Just Asking
        March 10, 2022

        Translation: so they hate everybody equally.
        It’s another ploy, a play of words used by conquerors to maintain domination.

    • lmckoy
      March 5, 2022

      Discrimination is not restricted to skin colour; it occurs wherever there are differences – race, gender, religion, relationships, etc. It happens even within families; I don’t know if it can ever be eliminated.

      • Pat
        March 10, 2022

        So is it like a walk in the park?
        I just hate, sorry, love to hear from people who are so privileged that they are still wondering what are the people complaining about.

  6. zandoli
    March 3, 2022

    At first I was sympathetic to the cause of the Ukrainians, but after seeing videos of the plight of people of color, my sympathy melted.
    These Ukrainians are asking for help from any country that will help them, yet they could not give a da*n about the lives and safety of anyone who is not Ukrainian.
    As far as I am concerned, they are fighting people who look like them. This is not our fight. Let them sort out their business.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
    • Jey Jey
      March 4, 2022

      @Zandoli You smelled the Coffee very late. Thought you knew better. These creatures don’t like us and they never did. There is a “Ukraine” in Dominica better known as “Salisbury.” This is the only Ukraine that I’m sympathetic with. Although there are a few Crooks there.

    • Just Asking
      March 6, 2022

      White on white crime, silent JJ or Channel 1.
      I’m more concerned with this USA Today story: – A regiment in Ukraine’s military was founded by white supremacists. Now it’s battling Russia on the front lines. – Not only that, “AZOV” being FUNDED and weapons by the West, they’re mostly in the police forces that left African people in the cold for Putin to finish off. The founder of 2 of those groups is probably still in Washington today after addressing congress-men, and they know similarly the nazzi were doing the same while having big crowds in MSG in 1939, and we all know what they were doing at the time. Figure racism out, it’s bigger than we think. Why have we been figured into that deadly equation?

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