Month: August 2011

Kansan Uutiset Verkkolehti: Tiukkaa faktaa siirtolaisuudesta demonisoinnin sijaan

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment: Today Helsingin Sanomat, Keskisuomalainen of Jyväskylä, citing Finnish News Agency (STT),  and Left Alliance’s Kansan Uutiset Verkkolehti published stories about undocumented immigrants in Finland and Europe. According to police inspector Jouko Ikonen, there are between 2,000 and 3,000 undocumented immigrants in Finland. 

If these figures are true, it means that Finland’s undocumented immigrant problem accounts for about 2% of Finland’s total immigrant population. In the United States, for example, undocumented workers are estimated to reach between 7 and 20 million people.

According to Ikonen, most of the illegal aliens enter Finland from Sweden and include nationals of Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Russia.

Mervi Leppäkorpi’s new book,  “Asiaton oleskelu kielletty – tutkimusmatkalla paperittomien Suomessa,” touches the issue of illegal immigrants. According to her, one of the problems in the debate is that these people are referred to as “illegal.”

Take for example my foremr home state of California, which benefits immensely from skilled immigrants and unskilled ones, who keep the price of labor down and make the economy more competitive.

Leppäkorpi states that the typical undocumented immigrant in Finland are students who have not received an extension of their residence permit. 

I met the first undocumented immigrant in the 1980s in Helsinki. He was brought all the way from Mexico to work for a popular Mexican restaurant run by Finns.  

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Emilia Kukkala

Mervi Leppäkorven Asiaton oleskelu kielletty kertoo paperittomien siirtolaisten arjesta ja asemasta.  Sosiologi Mervi Leppäkorpi on asunut aikuisiällään paitsi Suomessa, myös Saksassa ja Boliviassa. Euroopassa arkensa paperittomien kanssa jakanut Leppäkorpi ehti tottua siihen, että paperiton on ennen kaikkea oman elämänsä toimija ja yksilö. Siirtolaisuuden demonisointi synnytti tietopaketin.

Read whole story.

HS in English NEWS ANALYSIS: As thick as a (message) board

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment: Here is an analysis of a popular website, Hommaforum, which has come under police scrutiny especially after the tragic events that hit Norway on July 22. Contrary to Migrant Tales, which is open to a wide range of views, Hommaforum is seen as a closed group where bloggers feed off each other and “easily morph into hermetically-sealed echo chambers of like-minded individuals, leaving no oxygen for debate.”

HS continues: “The development is a dangerous one, since it facilitates and accelerates the formation of cliques and blocs within society and actually weakens the dialogue between people who are of differing opinions.”

Apart from Hommaforum, another popular anti-immigration blog is Scripta run by Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Jussi Halla-aho.

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By Joonas Laitinen

The shocking mass murder in Norway on July 22nd has prompted a great deal of discussion within Finland about the Internet and about the hate-speech that emanates from some quarters of it.

Read whole story.

PS politics: Problems conveniently disappear if you don’t exist

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Ever wonder why immigrants and minorities are seen as outsiders in Finland with no history? Why do the majority of Finns, when speaking of these groups, usually talk in the present and future tense but rarely in the past tense?  What are they really saying when they deny that racism isn’t a major problem in Finland?

Some like Perussuomalaiset Party (PS) MP Reijo Tossavainen, one of PS MP Jussi Halla-aho’s staunch defenders, are a good example of how Finland’s most anti-immigration party deals with the “foreign question.”

In his latest blog entry on Uusi Suomi, Tossavainen disagrees with President Tarja Halonen that racism is one of the biggest challenges together with the economy for the government.

Tossavainen, who suggested earlier this year that Finland should effectively shut its borders to asylum-seekers, sees Halonen’s words as an attack voting judgement of a half a million of Finns.

I am always amazed in Finland on how some PS politicians like Tossavainen, who are white and come from small towns like Savitaipale, are the first ones who claim that racism isn’t a major problem in this country.

Stating that racism isn’t a major problem in light of what happened in Norway is as ridiculous as affirming that alcoholism isn’t a major issue in Finland. Certainly racism isn’t a major problem for Tossavainen because he is white and a Finn.

Even so, Tossavainen’s affirmation is more revealing than what meets the eye. By denying that racism is a major problem he is effectively saying that we have so few immigrants and minorities in this country that we don’t have to deal with them. Since they don’t effectively exist, they cannot place any demand on us.

That is Tossavainen’s message in the raw: there is no problem I deny you exist.

Halonen cites the economy and racism as threats to Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

President Tarja Halonen was quoted as saying on YLE that the government is facing two challenges after it returns from its summer holiday: the economy and racism. Her advice was calm, patience and not allowing hate speech to overtake our worst fears.

“If the economic situation remains difficult and even worsens, then we will need the kind of patience that is able to use democratic means to combat the kind of populist responses that cannot produce results — but which create anger and bitterness,” said Halonen.

If the president of Finland expresses concern about the rise of hate speech in this country, then matters must be pretty serious. More than ever before, immigrants, minorities and Finns must stand united against hate speech.

Social Democratic Party secretary Mikael Junger is one such politicians who has recently challenged Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP like Jussi Halla-aho’s provocative statements about cultural diversity, the Nuremberg Trials, and Social Democrats.

Remembering how the announcement of Portugal’s default just a week before the April 17 election was an important boost for the PS, some supporters believe that as matters get worse in Europe financially the better the right-wing populist party’s standing in the polls.

It is no secret that during dire economic times, the first ones to get blamed are immigrants and minorities.

According to Halonen, the combination of poor economic times, loss of jobs and scapegoats feed populism and probably hate speech.

There is a good blog entry in English on the rise of hate speech in Finland on  On the Road of Succcess by Zuzeeko. 

AFP & YLE: Halla-aho claims being victim of “witch-hunt”

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment:  As we have seen in a post-22/7 Europe, far-right groups that fuelled their popularity with provocative statements against immigrants, minorities and Muslims are on the defensive today. After the tragic events that gripped Norway, there are a lot of people who are rightfully concerned about the same type of hate speech and ideology that inspired Norway’s killer being spread by websites in Finland.

PS MP Jussi Halla-aho, who appears to have no clue about why some are questioning his provocative anti-immigration language, are asking questions that should have been asked before he was chosen to chair the administration committee, whose responsibilities include immigration policy.

Weekly magazine Apu columnist Yrjö Rautio writes why Halla-aho has come under increased scrutiny: “It is certainly grotesque that the parliamentary administration committee is chaired by a person whose political merits are so-called (being a) critic of immigration and immigrants by stigmatizing (them) as rapists, criminals, or the “dregs of the Horn of Africa.” 

Halla-aho was fined 330 euros last year by a lower court for “disturbing religious worship.” Prosecutors previously charged the PS MP with defaming Islam and inciting racial hatred.

”We have people in political and civil circles who have attacked free speech for years and this (Norway) has just given them a new stick,” he was quoted on YLE citing AFP.

When Halla-aho speaks about being a victim of a witch hunt and that “the eilists” are trying to shut him up, he appears to forget that his questionable blog entries written over the years were published by him without censorship.

Whenever people like Halla-aho run to the sanctuary argument of “freedom of speech,” it would be interesting to ponder what kind of free-speech world we’d live in if  his  far-right ideology would rule this country.  His supporters would most likely act like his followers on his blog Scripta cyberattacking those they did not agree with.

Claiming that Halla-aho is part of a witch hunt is ludicrous. Thanks to free speech, we do have the right to place anyone’s writings and ideology under greater scrutiny.

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True Finns Party MP Jussi Halla-aho says that he feels that a witch-hunt has started against him and free speech after the Norway tragedy. In an interview with AFP, he said that things are completely out of control.

Read whole story.

Living in post-22/7 Europe: “Fjordman” bows out

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

As Migrant Tales correctly predicted shortly after the mass killings in Norway, the impact on the sabre-rattling European chorus warning us of the danger of Islam is now on the defensive and on the run. “Fjordman,” Anders Behring Breivik’s mentor, said he would go underground for his own safety and never publish again with the infamous pseudonym, according to tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.

Fjordman, whose real name is Peder Jansen, 36, is or was the voice of anti-Islam in Norway. Just a quick look at his former blog, fjordman, gives you a taste of his writings: “Muhammed was a brilliant intuitive leader/general, and he and his companions devised a near perfect closed system of war against the rest of humanity.”

Jensen said that he was shocked to know that his writings had inspired Breivik.

Jensen said that Breivik sent him a handful of emails in 2009-10. Even though Breivik wanted to meet him, Jensen declined.

“I don’t know why he wanted to meet me,” he said. “I didn’t want to meet him because of his views but because he didn’t seem that interesting. He was like a vacuum cleaner salesman.”

Jensen said that he spoke to the police to clear his name. He said that the police had confiscated his computer and had tried to make him guilty.

“I don’t want to be connected with Breivik and his horrible actions,” he said, adding that he would go underground for his own safety.

Spiegel Online International: Can Europe’s Populists Be Blamed for Anders Breivik’s Crusade?

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment:  Below is a comprehensive report that looks at the tragic events that hit Norway July 22 from many angles before and after.  The mass killings, which caused the deaths of 77 people, is the worst in Norway since World War II, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Debate is still ongoing about the mass killer, Anders Behring Breivik, and what propelled him to carry out such horrific acts. A general consensus is emerging throughout Europe that websites and political parties that incite their followers to loathe other groups are largely if not indirectly to blame. While hate speech means generally encouraging others to carry out acts of violence against a group of people like immigrants, it is difficult to prove and sentence in a court of law.

While this may be the case, it is morally questionable and should be condemned by society.

Breivik, however, leaves us with a list of people and groups he identifies with.  When one reads his  1,518-page manifesto, it becomes clear that these people and  groups are a sort of  big family where they feed off each other’s loathing for Muslims and immigrants.

Breivik cites the following far right, right-wing populist and ultra-nationalist sites that supposedly will rally behind his “2083 European declaration of independence” declaration: Austria’s two populist parties, BZÖ and FPÖ, Sweden Democrats, Danish People’s Party,  Gert Wilders’ Freedom Party, British National Party, Lega Nord of Italy, anti-Muslim Norwegian blogger “Fjordman,” Gates of Vienna, Brussels Journal to name a few.

From Finland you will find the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party,which he cites as “anti-immigration.” PS MP Jussi Halla-aho is mentioned twice in the manifesto. Others on his questionable list are: Suomen Sisu (a nationalistic organization, according to Breivik), Suomalaisuudenliitto (nationalistic cultural organization), Bluewhites of the Finnish People (nationalist party), and Independence Party-League of Free Finland.

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Norway and the world are still struggling to understand the ghastly deeds of Anders Breivik, who was driven to kill by his hatred of Muslims. His confused worldview, which Breivik describes in a 1,500-word manifesto, was influenced by European right-wing populists. Do politicians and writers share some of the blame for his terrible crimes? By SPIEGEL Staff.

Part 1: Can Europe’s Populists Be Blamed for Anders Breivik’s Crusade?

Part 2: Can Europe’s Populists Be Blamed for Anders Breivik’s Crusade?

Part 3: Is Breivik a Psychopath?

Part 4: How Does the Perpetrator Justify His Crimes?

Part 5: Where Did Breivik Derive His Ideas From?

Part 6: Who Are the People Who Influenced Breivik Intellectually?

Part 7: How Do Right-Wing Bloggers Defend Themselves Against Accusations that They Bear Part of the Blame?

Part 8: Is Breivik Different from Other Terrorists Such as Islamists and Anarchists?

Part 9: Why Didn’t Anyone Notice What Breivik Was Planning?

Ilta-Sanomat: Kansanedustaja: Tiedossa sisällissotia ja terrori-iskuja

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment: Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Olli Immonen belongs to the Counter-Jihadists behind PS MP Jussi Halla-aho. In a story on tabloid Ilta-Sanomat, Immonen warns of a “race war” in Europe due to multiculturalism.

“Due to the present trend of multiculturalism, I believe we will see in the future of Europe a number of terrorist strikes and civil war in which the other warring adversary will be notably the representatives of Islam,” he was quoted as saying on Ilta-Sanomat from a 2009 blog entry.

When contacted by the tabloid, the MP said that he still stands by what he wrote two years ago.

Immonen, who is a member of ultra-nationalistic associations like Suomalaisuuden liitto and Suomen Sisu, which believe that marriage between Finns and foreigners should be discouraged, is another PS MP who sees Islam taking over Europe.

One of the matters that always surprises me about people like Immonen is the message behind their total rejection of multiculturalism. It is the same thing that PS MP Jussi Halla-aho said on July 24 on his Facebook page: “…because bad immigration is bad and multiculturalism sucks ass irrespective of what Breivik did.”

In other words, what Immonen and Halla-aho are saying in effect by “bad immigration” and “suck-ass multiculturalism” is that they don’t want Muslims in Finland and the future of those that live here of that religion will have to endure their wrath.

Immonen remind me of the American Nazi Party and how it’s been getting ready for a race war against non-whites and  Jews. You can Google a number of these type of hate sites on the Internet. I did not want to link them on this blog because they are offensive.

In Europe, far-right parties and Counter-Jihadists like Immonen, the enemy aren’t blacks and Jews but Muslims. It is the same sad broken record played in the 1930s by the Nazi regime and many others in the last century. Counter-Jihadists, however, have tried to distance themselves from that baggage by being pro-Zionist and against Nazis.

Strange ideological world, no?  

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Perussuomalaisten kansanedustaja Olli Immonen uskoo monikultturisen kehityksen Euroopassa johtavan tulevaisuudessa väkivaltaan.

Read whole story.

Europe’s and Finland’s radical right: toning down diatribe rhetoric

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

We are seeing today how the impact of the killings in Norway have placed the far right and right-wing populist parties under greater scrutiny.  If these parties are now forced to tone down their anti-immigration message that fueled their rise, will greater scrutiny dull their most powerful weapon and weaken them in the end?

Over a week and a half after the horrific events that gripped Norway, there is evidence that a clear shift has taken place in the debate over immigration and Islam.

The change is significant considering how radical right parties before 22/7 saw no end to their growth thanks to their diatribe rhetoric against immigrants and Islam.

In Finland it has rudely awoken some parties out of their deep sleep of denial over the menace of the radical right especially after the election victory of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party on April 17.

Social Democratic Party secretary Mikael Junger openly challenged PS MP Jussi Halla-aho to step down as chairman of the administration committee, whose responsibilities include among other matters immigration policy.

Even President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen have openly condemned hate speech more energetically than ever before.

Reaction in Europe has been similar, according to the International Herald Tribune. “Most of Europe’s right-wing parties have condemned the actions of Anders Behring Breivik… whose lawyer says is probably insane. Sill, politicians have begun to question inflammatory oratory in the debate over immigrants that has helped fuel the rise of right-leaning politicians across Europe in recent years.”

In Finland, PS MP James Hirviisari, Halla-aho’s crude alter ego, suggests that a failed immigration and multicultural policy explain why Breivik went on the rampage.

In a thread under his Uusi Suomi blog entry, Norjan verilöyly (Norway’s bloodbath), he offers an explanation why Anders Behring Breivik snapped and started his mass killings. “I really am not surprised that something like this could happen in Norway. In the last years at least ALL (100%) of tens of those accused of violent rapes have been caused by immigrants/foreigners that have come from outside Europe.”

Sensible people in Finland and Europe understand that anti-immigration and anti-Islam groups pose today a threat to our democratic way of life. Breivik is a case in point.

There is a danger that pushing Halla-aho and his Counter-Jihad followers to a corner could weaken PS MP Timo Soini and force the party to take a more radical line against the EU and immigration.

On the other hand, it may well be that we are finally acknowledging and seeing the real face of the PS that we have not wanted to see thanks to our silence.

All that has now changed after 22/7.

Chicago Tribune: Muhammad Ali writes letter to people of Norway

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment: Mohammad Ali, the legendary USAmerican Muslim boxer, expressed his grief for the bombing and killings in Norway. Probably one of the reasons why the former boxer wrote the letter to grief-stricken Norway is because he grew up during a period of racism and Civil Rights unrest in the United States.

His message to those that want to divide people through their hatred was clear. He said that those who commit such acts like Anders Behring Breivik “fail to understand that we share far more with our fellow beings than those aspects that set us apart.”

Ali said that no one should fear multiculturalism. He said that each person no matter what their religion or ethnic background have the same ideals.

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Muhammad Ali has expressed his sadness about the bombing and massacre in Norway.

Read whole story.