Preferential Treatment of Ukrainian Refugees in EU Stirs Anger Amid Claims of ‘Institutional Racism’
A stream of refugees from Ukraine headed to the European Union after Russia began its special military operation in the neighboring country on 24 February, with many not necessarily fleeing areas of immediate military operations, but rather eager to avail themselves of an opportunity to start a new life abroad. ● Millions of refugees from Ukraine are turning countries of the European Union into a breeding ground for ethnic conflict, according to media reports. ● Europe had granted Ukrainians automatic residency and visas after the Ukraine conflict escalated, with this preferential treatment placing them at the front of the queue for refugee services and housing, leaving asylum-seekers from other countries at a distinct disadvantage. ● Evident disparities have arisen between the Ukrainians - who are not necessarily fleeing areas of immediate military operations, but hope to seize the opportunity to settle abroad - and those fleeing conflicts in the Middle East. According to some activists helping refugees from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, a two-tier system has been established that disadvantages and discriminates against asylum seekers who are not from Ukraine. 💬 “This is institutional racism. There are two classes of refugees,” David Schmidtke, spokesman of the Saxony Refugee Council in Dresden, Germany, was cited as saying.