Uzhgorod residents prevent dark skinned girl from entering route taxi

July 26, a dark-skinned woman from Sierra Leone and her eight-month baby were not allowed entering a route taxi in Uzhgorod, western Ukraine.

This is reported by the press service of the Ukrainian parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

There is no information what made people to do that. However, it is known that Asi was handcuffed by the citizens, and it lasted for half an hour.

The girl temporarily stays in Ukraine and waits for refugee status. She explains her daily trips by the lack of money and clothing, and therefore she is forced to panhandle in Uzhgorod.

Commissioner’s Regional Coordinator Oleh Hryhoryev notes that all asylum seekers in Zakarpattia region are socially vulnerable.

“Unfortunately, despite the law, their right to social assistance and education is often limited,” he said.

It is noted that, in contrast to the representatives of state authorities, the public responds with compassion to the situation around Asi and her child. For example, volunteers have already collected clothes, money and food for her son.

“Today, the official representative of the Honorary Consul of Sierra Leone to Ukraine, the interpreter, and the public activist will visit the center of temporary accommodation of the refugees, where Asi and her son stay now, to give them money, clothes and food, collected by volunteers,” reads the statement.

Currently, the official investigation is conducted into the open discrimination against foreigners and stateless persons.