Reps. Lee, Beatty, Meeks, Bass and Plaskett Urge Humane and Non-Discriminatory Treatment for People of Color Fleeing Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, led Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations; and Stacey E. Plaskett (VI-At Large) in a letter to Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, urging humane and non-discriminatory treatment for people of color fleeing Ukraine amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“We write with concern regarding the treatment of people of African and Asian descent who are trying to flee Ukraine. Thank you for clarifying that the borders of the European Union are open to everyone fleeing the war in Ukraine. Nonetheless, numerous press and social media reports indicate that many Black families, immigrants from the African diaspora and other people of color are subject to discriminatory or inhumane treatment as they seek to flee Ukraine for the safety of other European countries,” the lawmakers wrote.
“We applaud that you have publicly rejected discriminatory treatment of refugees,” they continued. “We ask for more information about how European Union institutions and its member states are working to implement equitable and humane policies and procedures towards refugees. We further ask that a representative of the Commission brief us on the progress of these efforts.”
Click here to read the letter as delivered.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.