South African students who are trying to make their way out of Ukraine are poorly treated at the Polish border. A video footage which was recorded by one of the African students can clearly show the Ukrainians being separated from African students.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has been alerted of the current issue of alleged racism which has been directed to African migrants who are trying to flee the Ukraine/Russia crisis. The crisis which has now reached its fifth day has seen thousands of people trying to flee to neighbouring countries for safety.
Clayson Monyela, Dirco spokesperson, said there were plans to move South Africans out of Ukraine. “We have around 200 South Africans who are registered with our office and our Ambassador in the Ukraine, Andre Groenewald, has been organising their movement out of the country. Because of the situation in the country, we have had to rely on trains as a mode of transport,” said Monyela.
He said while evacuations of people out of Ukraine are taking place, there have been reports of racism targeted at African people at the borders of some neighbouring countries. South African students who are stranded in Ukraine have been advised to contact the South African embassy or the 24-hour Operations Centre in the department.
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Lorraine Blauw, Ukraine Crisis Evacuation Committee member, said the crisis is at the border. “The Ukrainians have decided to set up international territory in the middle where they are separating Indians and Africans. They are letting people wait. We have Congolese people stuck for two days and their passports taken away. This morning, students were beaten because they did not stand in the “black line”, she added.
The African students went to Ukraine to further their studies and are now caught in a battle for survival as they are refused entry into neighbouring countries and seemingly treated badly because they are Africans.
Source: News24, IOL, The independent, image from the Globe and Mail
