Residents are urged to welcome Turkish Erasmus participants after reports of harassment and aggression, prompting a city appeal for tolerance and safety.
Appeal to Residents Regarding Turkish Citizens
Piotr Chmielewski, deputy mayor of Góra Kalwaria, addressed the community about the presence of six young people and two supervisors from Turkey participating in the Erasmus+ program. They arrived to learn, gain professional experience, and explore local culture; however, reports have emerged of them encountering hostility, aggression, and unfriendly treatment from some locals.
Swearing, Harassment, Ripped Scarf
The Kraków Institute of Labour and Career Foundation, which sponsors Erasmus participants, forwarded an “alarming” letter to the city. It described the program as a source of stress, fear, and a feeling of threat for its participants. The letter cited incidents of verbal harassment, vulgar slurs, the tearing of a teacher’s head scarf, video surveillance, insults on public transport, and suspicious monitoring in shops that made the students feel as if they were suspected of theft.
Transfer to Warsaw Hotel
In response to the unsafe environment, the program group was relocated from their originally planned accommodation in Góra Kalwaria to a hotel in Warsaw. Chmielewski emphasized that everyone deserves respect and dignity regardless of origin, religion, or customs, and urged residents to practice hospitality, smile, offer help, and eliminate intolerance and hostility.
Kaynaklar:
gorakalwaria.pl
Source: Gazeta,
