Prospective refugee centre sparks protests in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
20.12.2015 15:59
Inhabitants of the town of Olecko in north eastern Poland have protested after learning that a local hotel could be converted into a refugee centre for Syrians.
Protesters in Olecko. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk
“We don't want this [Islamic] culture,” commented Karol Gutowski, organiser of the protest, in an interview with public broadcaster TVP.
“We are afraid of this culture.”
The owner of the hotel in question is taking part in a public tender regarding the conversion of buildings into refugee centres.
Poland's last government, led by the centrist Civic Platform, pledged to take in at least 7,000 refugees within the framework of a EU drive to apportion refugees to member states.
However, the conservative Law and Justice party which won the 25 October general election has indicated that it may backtrack on the previous government's commitments. (nh/pk)