By Tessa Larcher
Black people in Ukraine have denounced the discrimination they have suffered since the Russian invasion of the country. While a large influx of refugees continues, thousands of Africans – mainly university students – are said to be stranded at the Ukrainian border, as guards give priority to Ukrainians.
Images relayed on social networks show groups of Black refugees from Nigeria, the Caribbean and other sub-Saharan African countries stranded at the borders without accommodation, water or food. Ukrainian guards have justified their detention by instructions from their Polish counterparts, who allegedly have declared that there was no longer any place for migrants in Poland.
Despite the fact that Polish officials have refuted accusations of racism, the number of testimonies from many different foreign sources indicates that Black people in Ukraine, as well as other people of colour such as Indians, Arabs and North Africans, have potentially been discriminated against when they wanted to flee the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainians only
Apparently, those allowed to cross the border into Poland in particular have been Ukrainians – one source said a border guard would allow one Black person in for every ten Ukrainians. Several videos have been filmed at the border between Ukraine and Poland that have gone viral on social networks, showing people of African origin also being prevented from entering trains leaving Ukraine.
This video posted on Twitter on Saturday, February 26, reached more than seven million views. These images show white people forming a kind of blockade in front of the train platform, in order to block the passage to Black families, revealing a real racial tension. Most Africans stuck at Lviv train station are now looking to flee via Romania, Hungary or Slovakia, hoping to find better help.
According to the UN, 370,000 people have already managed to flee Ukraine, but voices are rising on social networks to denounce the discrimination linked to the origins and skin colour of the new exiles. These blockages would come from the Ukrainian authorities, they say.
Many people on Twitter are denouncing the racism they face in Ukraine and on the Polish border. Stephanie Hegarty, a correspondent for the BBC recently relayed the testimony of a Nigerian student confirming the current situation
The Polish guards seem to be overwhelmed by the influx of refugees, creating a very long queue, which is why many people stay several days at the border waiting for authorization to enter Poland.
Last Monday, the Nigerien government urged customs authorities in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to treat its citizens “with dignity” amid growing accusations of racism at the Ukrainian border. However, Poland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska, dismissed any accusations of racism, saying: “Everyone gets equal treatment. According to the information I have, some Nigerian nationals have already crossed the Polish border.”
On Twitter, Geoffrey Onyeanma, head of Nigerian diplomacy, claimed to have discussed this problem with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba who claims that Ukrainian border guards have received instructions allowing any foreigner to leave Ukraine. As a result, he also reportedly promised to investigate the discrimination charges.
Solidarity on social networks
In this chaos, fortunately, a wave of humanist solidarity has been established in order to help those in need, and online fundraisers have been created to help and support African students in the face of this European crisis. People can communicate through recent social networks and provide help more easily, also pledging their support.
Many of these students are young people with little funds, who need help in what has already become a humanitarian crisis, so it is important to help raise awareness about how some people are still enacting racism whilst experiencing subjugation.
There are still many Black people who live and work in Ukraine who are stuck there. Some made it to Poland despite the horrific racism they have to face by soldiers and police officers, but who knows what they can incur after.
To help Black students in Ukraine, in immediate needs, who need to return home or where their loved ones are, please check this fundraiser link. You can also sign a petition here.
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