NAACP Releases Statement on the Treatment of Africans During Russia's Attack on Ukraine

 

NAACP Press Release 

March 9, 2022

The NAACP is disheartened with the events surrounding the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. In these crisis moments choosing citizenship over humanity is an atrocity.  

Right now in Ukraine, Black families, immigrants from the African diaspora and other people of color – mothers, children, and students are not only facing challenges to evacuate a deadly warzone but are being pushed from trains and beaten by police officers. 

These callous acts are atrocious and reprehensible. As the world comes to the aid of the Ukraine and nations support the resettlement of people fleeing the nation, every individual must be treated with dignity and humanity.  We call upon the Biden Administration and the United Nations to take every necessary action to protect the rights and to ensure the safe passage of all persons fleeing this blatant attack on a Nation's sovereignty. The NAACP will do everything in its power to fight racist, cruel acts such as these – no matter where they are happening. 

Letter to European Commission Concerning Treatment of Black Families & Immigrants in Ukraine

https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-releases-statement-treatment-africans-during-russias-attack-ukraine?mi_u=105079694&emci=1624b0b6-a5a0-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&emdi=f75381e5-c5a0-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&ceid=1964798 

March 9, 2022Ms. Ursula von der LeyenPresidentEuropean CommissionRue de la Loi 200Brussels, BelgiumDear Madame President:We write today with an urgent concern regarding reports that Black families, immigrants from the African diaspora, and other people of color who reside in Ukraine have been treated in a discriminatory manner as they flee the escalating war in Ukraine.Press reports and online video reflect the use of racial hierarchy, violence, and state action taken against refugees of color as they attempt to flee Ukraine and enter bordering states of the European Union.We appreciate the European Union’s public rejection of discrimination.Even in the face of challenges and threats as serious as war, we must be vigilant in protecting the human rights of the most vulnerable populations from the worst forms of discrimination.As you are aware, the provision of humane treatment to refugees is embedded in sovereign law, international treaties, and customary law. Parliamentarians have a critical role to ensure the implementation of policy through actual practice.We understand the difficulty and fluidity of monitoring border agents across sovereign states. We urge swift and proactive action to ensure the fair and humane treatment of all refugees with special attention to nondiscrimination.Thank you for your continued commitment to secure the safe passage and humanetreatment of displaced persons fleeing the attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty. We further request additional information on measures undertaken to ensure the safe passage of all refugees.We are united in our fight against all forms of racism and discrimination –no matter where it occurs.Sincerely,National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCR)National Action Network (NAN)National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (NAACPLDF)National Coalition on Black Civic Participation / Black Women's Roundtable(NCBCP/BWR)National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW)National Urban League (NUL)

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March 9, 2022

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen

President

European Commission

Rue de la Loi 200

Brussels, Belgium

Dear Madame President:

We write today with an urgent concern regarding reports that Black families, immigrants from the African

diaspora, and other people of color who reside in Ukraine have been treated in a discriminatory manner as they

flee the escalating war in Ukraine. Press reports and online video reflect the use of racial hierarchy, violence, and

state action taken against refugees of color as they attempt to flee Ukraine and enter bordering states of the European

Union.

We appreciate the European Union’s public rejection of discrimination. Even in the face of challenges and threats

as serious as war, we must be vigilant in protecting the human rights of the most vulnerable populations from the

worst forms of discrimination. As you are aware, the provision of humane treatment to refugees is embedded in

sovereign law, international treaties, and customary law. Parliamentarians have a critical role to ensure the

implementation of policy through actual practice.

We understand the difficulty and fluidity of monitoring border agents across sovereign states. We urge swift and

proactive action to ensure the fair and humane treatment of all refugees with special attention to nondiscrimination.

Thank you for your continued commitment to secure the safe passage and humane treatment of displaced persons

fleeing the attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty. We further request additional information on measures undertaken to

ensure the safe passage of all refugees.

We are united in our fight against all forms of racism and discrimination – no matter where it occurs.

Sincerely,

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCR)

National Action Network (NAN)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

(NAACPLDF)

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation / Black Women's Roundtable (NCBCP/BWR)

National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW)

National Urban League (NUL)