Boycott Russian Users in Solidarity with Ukraine

[Nino381]

We urge Airbnb to announce boycott against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine! Similar to many international organisations that have pulled out of Russia in solidarity with Ukraine, we ask Airbnb to oppose this unacceptable situation and block Russian users from its services!

[Scott1572]

This is not true.  You are blocking me, I am American with an American CC based in Russia literally trying to leave and your platform blocks me!  I get blocking taking reservations in RU and blocking hosting in RU but blocking folks trying to book stuff outside of RU?  What about Russians trying to leave RU?  You are literally throwing up barriers to this, this is awful policy and discriminatory based purely on a person's nationality (ironically not even Russian but that doesn't matter). 

[Irina549]

exactly. AirBnB punishes all Russians trying to leave the country. And those who are trying to leave are obviously against the war. A clear sample of hypocrisy. 

[Mohamed637]

Even I can support Russia, as I do, and what? For that reason I have not right to book or to be paid.

more than 10 years on airbnb ralking about racist, teligion.. and now be russian or support Russia is not accepted.

[Yulia114]

I fully support your opinion!! 

[Sarah977]

@Emilie  "Airbnb has suspended operations in Russia and Belarus but is not blacklisting any users based on their nationality. "

Well, your statement appears to be untrue. They are indeed blacklisting users from Russia and Belarus. So much for the non-discrimination policy.

"The company elaborated on Chesky’s tweet, adding that the ban would extend to Airbnb members of those countries trying to make any bookings on the site.

“This means that we will block calendars from accepting new bookings in both countries until further notice,” said a spokesperson for the company. “We will also restrict users in Belarus and Russia from making new reservations as guests. We certainly hope that as we look to the future, a path to peace is forged.”

[Anonymous]

@Emilie   As of this writing, the Nondiscrimination Policy still prohibits hosts from declining bookings based on the guests' national origin. This policy needs to be updated to reflect the fact that Airbnb is no longer practicing it.

[Helen744]

Nino@381 I cannot agree with this statement . I am not part of the organization called"Airbnb " as such but an individual host. Airbnb is as far as I know a private profit making company. IIt facilitates my personal business .nothing more . Some people make the bullets and others fire them . I do not carry in my heart the desire to damage Russian people no matter how much I object to Vladimir Putin. I will support the more effective processes of my government and hope that they consider the lives of all concerned.Its complicated ,but I know the need to do something can cause us to overreact with the weapons we feel we have at hand. Airbnb must not become a weapon ,because then it cannot be a help . Just my personal thoughts . H

[Elaine701]

There aren't only Ukrainian refugees. Many Russians are leaving Russia with only a few personal belongings, and very limited or zero access to their money, mainly via Finland. I welcome these Russian "refugees" as well as Ukrainians. We're all just humans, after all. 

[Tatyana78]

I sincerely do not understand how blocking my Russian account will help world peace? Apparently, so that another student who came to my beautiful city of St. Petersburg could not find a pleasant place to live per nice price on this site. The management of the site, with which I have been cooperating for many years, is now calling for help to place Ukrainian refugees in their homes, and immediately blocks my account!Thereby discriminating against me in my right to help people! It looks like the site's policy advocates discrimination based on nationality. This is a demonstration of the inhumane policy of the site. 

[Emilie]

Hi @Tatyana78 and all, 

Thanks for sharing your concerns and experiences here. I understand this is an incredibly difficult time for many, and as I confirmed earlier Airbnb has suspended Airbnb’s business in Russia and Belarus and no users located in those countries will be able to use Airbnb to make new reservations.

The block is based solely on geography, not nationality of our Community Members.

Emilie

[Jamie893]

@Emilie 

We need clarity on the updated policy announced April 4th.

People have fled Russia to other countries to escape the situation. They are often using Airbnb for shelter while they figure out how to permanently move away from their country. 

Is Airbnb now prohibiting the use of the platform outside of Russia/Belarus for holders of Russian and Belelarusian passports, making bookings also outside of those countries?

For example if a Russian passport holder was in Croatia and tried to book an apartment in Croatia, would they be denied on the basis of their passport despite being entirely removed from the Russian and Belarusian states?

In short, are Airbnb now maliciously and cruelly punishing civilians for their nationality? 

There is no justification for removing shelter from people like this. This does nothing against the Russain government and punishes only individuals, civilians, innocent people. Including those who have fled. 

Please clarify once and for all. People's lives are literally dependent on this at the moment.

[Helen744]

@Jamie 893 i certainly do not think so . People are confused here I think if you live outside Russia then that is not an issue at all H

[Çağrı5]

I want to point out another view about problem.

In last 3 days, 2 russian people i know contacted me directly and 4 more through Airbnb. They are all young man just want not to involve in war, so they move some other country. It looks like they are not able to make payment because of restrictions on russian banks so they cant make booking. I have a feeling that i will have similar conversations with more people in previous days.

I dont say this as a host but as a human, airbnb should also help them at least to find a way to pay so they can find a place to stay somewhere out of war or prison.

[Sarah977]

@Çağrı5  I totally agree. Airbnb has been incredibly hypocritical regarding its non-discrimination policy. 

There are tons of Russian opposed to this war, either risking imprisonment by protesting within Russia or trying to get out, before they are sent to go kill Ukranians. 

It's one thing for banks and NATO and corporations to impose sanctions to try to force Putin to back off, which of course makes things incredibly difficult for Russian citizens, but Airbnb is about individuals, who should be dealt with as such. 

[Helen744]

@Cagri5 I think banks can help to convert currency and try that way H