Tufan Erhürman warns against rising xenophobia and racism

President Tufan Erhürman has issued a warning against rising xenophobia and racism, stating that such rhetoric cannot be justified under any circumstances. He noted that debates centered on an individual's place of birth, identity, or ethnic origin only deepen societal pain following recent hardships.

Erhürman compared the local situation to the rise of the ‘populist radical right’ seen in Europe and globally, warning that divisive slogans act as ‘bad seeds’ that can grow if not actively countered. He emphasized that society must protect itself from these ideologies to avoid losing its culture and humanity.

Addressing domestic issues, Erhürman criticized the lack of a formal population policy, noting that the community does not even have accurate population data. He argued that unplanned migration has created challenges in education, health, and security, but maintained that these systemic issues do not justify the marginalization of people based on their background.