Linguistic Discrimination in Cluj/Kolozsvár: Paramedic Demanded Family to Speak Romanian

An ethnic Hungarian family in Cluj/Kolozsvár experienced a humiliating incident on February 5th when they called an ambulance for their elderly relative. According to the daily Szabadság, the paramedic who arrived at the scene demanded that the family members speak Romanian instead of Hungarian in his presence.

A female family member called the ambulance for an elderly relative suspected of having a stroke. She stated that the paramedic angrily reprimanded her when she tried to comfort her relative in Hungarian. Even when she was informing her 78-year-old, hard-of-hearing mother about the patient’s condition, the paramedic insisted that she speak Romanian.

“I felt completely powerless because the doctor we had called for help was abusing his position. I find it humiliating that I was not allowed to speak my native language, even in my own home. How many elderly Hungarians has he done this to before?” – the distraught family member told the newspaper.

Csoma Botond, an RMDSZ parliamentary representative from Cluj County, has called for legal action and filed an official complaint with the Cluj County Ambulance Service. Horia Simu, the director of the ambulance service, promised an investigation but stated that the paramedic had performed his duties properly and only requested the use of Romanian to ensure he received all necessary information.

However, Csoma Botond emphasized that the case is not about patient care but about interfering with a private conversation. He considers the incident a serious violation of rights and intends to bring it up in parliament.Unfortunately, the incident is not unique; there have been reports of such behavior by paramedics in the past.

Source: Index.hu

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