ECCAR cities stand in solidarity with Ukraine
We, the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR), express our extreme concern about the current developments in Ukraine and condemn Russia's coup de force against Ukraine, which jeopardises the sovereignty of this country and undermines the very heart of the European project, peace and freedom. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and express our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones, their homes and their sense of security.
We are grateful to all those who are currently upholding our shared European values by helping and supporting refugees. We call on all actors to respect the rights of those fleeing the war, no matter their race, nationality or gender and to ensure their safety and well-being. Reports of racism and discrimination at the border are a threat to those rights and the human right to asylum. Especially in times of crisis racism can never be the answer. We thus also condemn racist attacks against Russians and people of Russian descent living in Europe.
Now more than ever cities play a key role in protecting human rights on the local level. European cities and their inhabitants, especially in Eastern Europe, have already sent out strong messages of support for the Ukrainian people and have acted swiftly by welcoming displaced persons and assisting the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. These efforts, often involving administrations, civic society organizations and volunteers working together, are still ongoing. ECCAR will continue to support this solidarity not only between cities but within cities, where European values of solidarity, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, are lived, experienced and strengthened every single day.
