Churches 'deplore' discrimination against minority ethnic refugees fleeing Ukraine

Churches have called for refugees fleeing Ukraine to be treated equally irrespective of their race or religion.

The Russian invasion has triggered a humanitarian crisis and forced over three million people to flee Ukraine, the UN has said. 

There have been reports in the media of refugees of colour experiencing racism while attempting to cross the border into neighbouring countries. 

In a statement, members of Churches Together in England (CTE) said they "deplore the discrimination against African and Asian people and those of religious minorities fleeing Ukraine, and call for every nation receiving refugees to treat all with equal care and dignity".

The statement recognises the "enormity" of the refugee crisis and says that there should be a "fair sharing of this burden throughout Europe". 

After coming under pressure, the UK government has launched a new humanitarian route that allows refugees from Ukraine to stay in people's homes.

Under the scheme, they will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years.

CTE urged the government to do all it can to develop programmes in support of those fleeing that are "both just and effective". 

"We welcome changes recently announced to a complex and slow visa application system, thus easing the ways in which Ukrainian refugees can be given sanctuary, and urge the swiftest implementation of this system," CTE said.

The statement encourages churches to take up the opportunities to sponsor refugee families, but it also urges the government to speed up the re-housing of refugees from Afghanistan and calls for changes to the controversial UK Borders and Nationality Bill to make it easier for people to flee to the UK.

"We also recognise, with shame, the slowness to welcome Afghan refugees who are already in Britain, often remaining housed in bed and breakfast accommodation," the ecumenical group said.

"Refugees come from many nations in conflict, and we pray that Britain might become a society where strangers find a welcome, whatever their origin."

49% OFF
MANSPOT Electric Pubic Hair Trimmer - Waterproof Body and Groin Shaver for Men and Women (Black)
$20.39 $40
25% OFF
Lick-Safe Dog Paw and Nose Balm Stick - All-Natural Moisturizer with Coconut Oil for Dry, Cracked Pads and Snout
$11.69 $15.59
77% OFF
Men's Quick Dry Moisture Wicking Polo Shirt - High Elasticity Slim Fit Athletic Top (Runs Small)
$6.99 $29.99
46% OFF
Men's Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Multi-Sport
$12.95 $23.99
50% OFF
NEWFAST NF-RE523 AC1200 WiFi Extender - 1200Mbps Dual Band Signal Booster & Internet Repeater
$18.5 $36.99
48% OFF
G Gradual Men's 7-inch Workout Running Shorts - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Comfort
$12.91 $24.99
30% OFF
NOVETE Under Sink Water Filter - 3 Years, 30,000 Gallons, High-Efficiency Filtration
$41.99 $59.99
50% OFF
HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)
$69.99 $139.99
60% OFF
HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry
$19.99 $49.99
58% OFF
G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets
$14.99 $35.99
55% OFF
Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)
$49.99 $110.99
61% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets
$14.99 $37.99
36% OFF
Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry
$12.74 $19.99
61% OFF
Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor
$69.3 $179.99
50% OFF
MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator
$39.97 $79.95
40% OFF
X-Sense XS01-WX Smart Smoke Alarm - 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Photoelectric Fire Detector with Mobile App Alerts
$65.99 $109.99
11% OFF
VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)
$24.91 $27.91
Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump
$0 $113.99
20% OFF
INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool
$695.99 $869.99
Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)
$0 $149.99
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Gloucester churches come together to bless River Avon amid pollution concerns
Gloucester churches come together to bless River Avon amid pollution concerns

It is part of a broader campaign against river pollution as concerns remain about the amount of untreated sewage in the Avon.

Life beyond burnout: how Christians can grow in the desert seasons
Life beyond burnout: how Christians can grow in the desert seasons

Christian Today speaks to author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren about growth in desert seasons and why the Church shouldn’t treat all spiritual weariness as a problem to fix.

Iranian-born bishop stands in solidarity with Britain's Jews
Iranian-born bishop stands in solidarity with Britain's Jews

2025 had the second highest number of antisemitic incidents on record.

Bishops protest Israeli arrest of another Palestinian Christian
Bishops protest Israeli arrest of another Palestinian Christian

An Evangelical Lutheran has been accused of "promoting terrorist activities".

Today's Top Deals

MANSPOT Electric Pubic Hair Trimmer - Waterproof Body and Groin Shaver for Men and Women (Black)

$20.39
$40 49% OFF
View Deal

Lick-Safe Dog Paw and Nose Balm Stick - All-Natural Moisturizer with Coconut Oil for Dry, Cracked Pads and Snout

$11.69
$15.59 25% OFF
View Deal

Men's Quick Dry Moisture Wicking Polo Shirt - High Elasticity Slim Fit Athletic Top (Runs Small)

$6.99
$29.99 77% OFF
View Deal

Men's Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Multi-Sport

$12.95
$23.99 46% OFF
View Deal

NEWFAST NF-RE523 AC1200 WiFi Extender - 1200Mbps Dual Band Signal Booster & Internet Repeater

$18.5
$36.99 50% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's 7-inch Workout Running Shorts - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Comfort

$12.91
$24.99 48% OFF
View Deal

NOVETE Under Sink Water Filter - 3 Years, 30,000 Gallons, High-Efficiency Filtration

$41.99
$59.99 30% OFF
View Deal

HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)

$69.99
$139.99 50% OFF
View Deal

HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry

$19.99
$49.99 60% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets

$14.99
$35.99 58% OFF
View Deal

Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)

$49.99
$110.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets

$14.99
$37.99 61% OFF
View Deal

Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry

$12.74
$19.99 36% OFF
View Deal

Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor

$69.3
$179.99 61% OFF
View Deal

MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator

$39.97
$79.95 50% OFF
View Deal

X-Sense XS01-WX Smart Smoke Alarm - 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Photoelectric Fire Detector with Mobile App Alerts

$65.99
$109.99 40% OFF
View Deal

VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)

$24.91
$27.91 11% OFF
View Deal

Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump

$0
$113.99 0% OFF
View Deal

INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool

$695.99
$869.99 20% OFF
View Deal

Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)

$0
$149.99 0% OFF
View Deal