The most active in terms of Russophobia and aggression towards Russians, since March, are Poland and the Baltic States. However, they did everything possible to prevent Russian tourists from coming to them, in particular, canceling the issuance of visas. This information was stated in an interview with TASS by the director of the consular department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Ivan Volynkin. At the same time, he noted that through the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian consular offices in Europe as a whole, an increase in the number of cases of violation of the rights and legitimate interests of Russians staying in European countries, including tourists, is recorded.
Except In addition, the diplomat warned that in the context of diplomatic proceedings, the possibilities of Russian consular offices in Europe are limited – and in fact the tourist must independently assess the risks when traveling to an “unfriendly state”.
He voiced the following advice to tourists: “It should be understood that the legislation of almost all foreign countries provides for serious liability for those who publicly incite, encourage hatred or violence against a group of people or an individual because of belonging to a certain race or nation, religion, family position and so on. Taking into account that, while living in a foreign state, a Russian is under its jurisdiction and is obliged to comply with the laws and rules in force on its territory, respect accepted customs, the tools for protecting rights are generally traditional. Depending on the circumstances of the case, this is an appeal to law enforcement agencies, the court, to the Ombudsman for Discrimination – in those countries where the relevant institution operates,” the diplomat emphasized.
However, in Europe, he added, local law enforcement agencies often react very formally to statements from Russians who experience such manifestations, or completely ignore them. According to him, some “particularly resonant cases” occurred, moreover, some “the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has already joined.”
He also reminded tourists that special hotlines have been set up in Russian foreign missions, where citizens who are discriminated against on linguistic, national, cultural, religious or other grounds, including insults, violence and other forms of persecution, including threats to life and health, can apply. . In addition, compatriots can also contact the Rossotrudnichestvo hotline.
Also, Mr. Volynkin recalled that “as a result of the unprecedented expulsion of Russian diplomats from unfriendly states”, the consular component of the activities of our foreign missions was under attack. Including complicated work on the provision of routine consular services. “Our department is closely monitoring the situation with the availability of consular operations in all problematic countries and is trying to quickly respond to emerging challenges by offering our colleagues abroad certain complex solutions. But, of course, you can’t just make up for the shortage of workers,” he added.
The head of the consular department also said that Russian tourists mostly face the greatest difficulties with the inability to use Russian bank cards. But, according to him, “the resolution of such issues is beyond the competence of consular officers.”
“In general, I would like to focus on the fact that any Russian currently planning a trip to one of the unfriendly countries who was approved by government order, should be clearly aware of the difficulties that he may encounter, and the measure of his own responsibility in overcoming them,” the diplomat summed up.
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