Statement by U.S. Ambassador Bathsheba N. Crocker and EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen on Reports of Discrimination Against Those Fleeing Russian Violence
March 2nd, 2022
This afternoon, EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen and U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN and International Organizations in Geneva Bathsheba N. Crocker held a productive conversation with Deputy UN High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements and IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels to express our grave concern about reports of racial discrimination and mistreatment of individuals, including African students and other people of color, crossing from Ukraine into neighboring countries. We Ambassadors shared our common view that any person fleeing Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked acts of violence in Ukraine should be received with dignity and respect, irrespective of their nationality or ethnic origin, and with all due protection and assistance. Deputy High Commissioner Clements and Deputy Director General Daniels indicated that the two Organizations have equally been making these strong advocacy points on the critical importance of access to safety in a non-discriminatory manner. Refugee-receiving countries in the region have also expressed their commitment to nondiscrimination and respect for humanitarian principles, and have made clear they will reinforce this at all levels. We will continue to work closely with the government of Ukraine and humanitarian partners throughout the region to ensure that all of those affected by this unwarranted and unprovoked violence have their basic human rights protected. We also noted how appreciative we are of the work all our UN partners are doing in Ukraine and the region to alleviate the suffering of the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Russia’s war, and of the dedication and courage of humanitarian staff and partners.
###