Africa-Press – Namibia. THE European Union ambassador to Namibia, Sinnika Antila, has apologised for any alleged racism at the Polish borders against Africans who are fleeing the violent attacks in the Ukraine.
There were reports that Africans are being singled out for dissimilar treatment, which in turn is racism.
Antila, in an interview with Desert Radio this week, said they have heard of some cases where African students have not been able to leave Ukraine and get access to Poland.
“Our rule is that everybody who is fleeing can come to the EU, and these neighbouring EU countries like Poland, Slovakia, Romania have made explicit decisions that everybody can come,” the ambassador added.
She stated that although the EU is very sorry if there are cases where African students have not been able to leave, one should understand that when there are thousands of people at the same time trying to leave, certain issues would be experienced.
“There must be priority cases of mothers with small children, and the elderly, and normally students are young and healthy,” she explained.
She added that as the EU, they are doing everything they can to manage these processes.
As a result, the union is giving assistance to the neighbouring member countries of the EU so that they can help the fleeing refugees.
“There must be chaos at the border post when 700 000 people want to flee the country. We have been following very closely that the principle rule is that all people in need, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or their skin colour, who are fleeing violence in the Ukraine should be granted access to the EU,” Antilla noted.
According to statistics, there were 114 Namibians in Ukraine, 94 of them students. The government this week said 62 have already been repatriated.
CEASE OPERATIONS
Meanwhile, the ambassador has said Russia must cease its military operations immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine.
She also added that the same goes for Belarus, the country neighbouring Ukraine that has been assisting with the invasion.
“This is not only from the European Union, it is from the entire international community. War must stop to prevent the further killing of innocent people.
“The whole European Union is supporting and defending Ukraine and decided to send weapons and military equipment to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty,” Antila stated.
The ambassador further noted that Ukraine’s membership to the EU is being considered, but it will not be done overnight, as there are processes to follow.
She further said there are no North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces in the Ukraine because Ukraine is not a member.
However, Antila added that every sovereign country has the freedom to choose which security system and allies they belong to.
“Russia, a major nuclear power, has attacked and invaded a peaceful and democratic neighbouring country, Ukraine, and Ukraine posed no threat to it, and has not provoked Russia at all. In fact, Ukraine has been 30 years independent like Namibia, living peacefully, having elections and a parliament and wanting to join the European Union,” the ambassador said.
She said the aggression by Russia is completely against the United Nations character.
“It is a violation in every respect. At the moment, we are in a situation where we haven’t had this kind of threat in Europe, and also in international peace, since World War II.
“This means the security of Europe and the whole international rule-based order, based on the UN system, is now threatened,” Antila noted.
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