Month: April 2024

Facebook (Timo Vornanen, the Finnish MP who shot his gun in public): Oops!

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Finland lives in collective amnesia about its ultranationalistic, xenophobic disposition. The post earlier this month shows Vornanen’s loathing of the Greens and of migrants.

Rosa Meriläinen is a Green politician and writer.

For obvious reasons, the former policeman is on sick leave for two weeks.

The shooting incident not only exposes the lies of the government program, “a strong and committed Finland,” it exposes its outright lies.

Is this the Finland I want to live in?

No, thanks, I’ll pass.

“All kinds of candidates for the European[parliamentary] elections. This comes from the GREENS.
For Rosa’s information, climate change will not be stopped by standing up to the police and breaking the law. I understand that you think breaking the law is “all OK and fun;” as long as it is not directed at your own people.
Or do you Rosa think that the world will be a better place if someone gives you a good beating?
The only effect such an act would have is to overwork the police and the courts; they would have just one more case to deal with and this would make you feel bad. Breaking the law will not have any effect on climate change.
Breaking the law will not save the world.
I think your actions as a parent are very irresponsible.
And as far as the immigration that Rosa mentioned is concerned, we do not need any more foreign “specialists” living on social benefits and other income transfers here in Europe and Finland.
We simply cannot afford it.
A skilled workforce that comes here to work and pay their taxes is welcome.”

Like a toxic addiction, Finland’s Interior Minister Rantanen cannot kick the habit of her conspiracy theories

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The “great replacement” theory, in simple terms, states that welcoming immigration policies —
particularly those impacting non-white immigrants — are part of a plot designed to undermine or
“replace” the political power and culture of white people living in Western countries.

National Immigration Forum

One long-range plan of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party has had is to keep out all asylum seekers from coming to Finland. PS Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho has spoken about such a goal for eons and only on Wednesday in A-studio, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen revealed that she’s still a staunch believer of the great replacement theory.

Mnister Mari Rantanen and Maria Ohisalo. Source: Yle

Debating with former Green League Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo (2019-2021), Rantanen explained why Europe must copy Britain’s Rwanda Plan. The PS and the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo back such a solution.

A-studio host Rosa Kettumäki was not up to par. She labelled asylum seekers “illegal migrants.” Whenever journalists refer to asylum seekers in such a lowly manner, they become a rubber stamp of the xenophobes. Photo: Yle.

Rantanen showed her dark colors on A-studio on why we must keep Muslims and other non-whites out:

“…it also impacts European culture, lifestyle, security, and so many other things,” said Rantanen. “I think the winds are changing in Europe, and we are now looking for other things than just opportunities to push as many as people as possible from foreign countries into Europe.”

Ohisalo, a former interior minister, reminded Rantanen that her comment was based on the great replacement theory. Rantnan was notably upset by Ohisalo’s observation.

Continue reading “Like a toxic addiction, Finland’s Interior Minister Rantanen cannot kick the habit of her conspiracy theories”

PS MP and policeman suspected of aggravated assault and firing a gun in Helsinki

Posted on by Migrant Tales

A Perussuomalaset (PS)* MPS “was involved in an incident in Helsinki Friday night”, reports Helsingin Sanomat. PS MP Timo Vornanen is suspected of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm, according to Seiska.

Vornanen was partying with some PS MPs who have not been named except for MP Sanna Attikainen.

Vornanen is a former policeman.

The news comes at a very bad time for the PS. One of the arguments that the party has been internal security, which is a pretext to tighten immigration policy is security. The party isn’t very convincing if one of its MPs goes on the rampage in the city center of Helsinki. Finland just suffered a shooting three weeks ago at a Vantaa school when a twelve-year-old killed one of his classmates and injured two.

The PS justifies their harsh migration policy on national security. What happens when a PS MP goes on the rampage in Helsinki and first shots? Read the full story (in Finnish) here.

A nail in the coffin of the Finnish government’s anti-racism statement. Surprised? Not.

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Justice Minister Leena Meri’s decision to disband a ministerial committee on racism, hate crime, and hate speech exposed and killed the government’s anti-racism statement for what it was: a piece of paper. It’s clear that the government wasn’t and isn’t serious about doing anything to tackle the social ll.

The elephant in the room is the PS, which has built its political success on xenophobia, would never take steps to shot itself in the leg. Villifying migrants, especially non-EU citizens and Muslims, is an integral part of the PS’ DNA.

Reaction has been swift. Alluding to what has happened in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Judge association Tuomariliitto considered Meri’s actions as “deeply concerning the development of the rule of law [in Finland].” An Helsingin Sanomat editorial also raised concern about Meri’s actions and that we should not take the rule of law lightly.

Some of these important recommendations made by the European Commission include:

  • Grant the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman the right to take up discriminatory cases in employment;
  • The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman would have the right to take such cases to the courts;
  • Increase the capacity of the ombudsman’s staff;
  • Empower the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal to deal with complaints concerning discrimination in employment;
  • Collection of hate crime and hate speech data;
  • Data would include a system that would be collected on ethnic, religious, gender, and citizenship origin;
  • Offer more training to public staff;
  • Establish a body that will look at police discrimination, racism, and misconduct.

Meri’s action is only one example of how radical right parties throughout Europe like the PS are undermining the rule of law to suit their populist anti-immigration policies and worldview.

It is a good matter that there has been a reaction in Finland, but is it enough if Prime Minister Petteri Orpo acts as if nothing is happening?

The government does not have a credible anti-racism plan because it doesn’t want to

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The recommendations made by the EU Commission in 2019 to the Finnish government to tackle hate crime and racism are facing an uphill battle. Justice Minister Leena Meri of the Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* disbanded a ministerial committee in February based on 20 European  Commission recommendations given to Finland to tackle racism and intolerance, according to tabloid Iltalehti.

Some see Minister Meri’s, the PS’ and the government’s anti-racism plan as the three monkeys above.

Minister Meri is another PS politician that is multiculturally challenged and who believes in conspiracy theories like the great replacement. Source: Iltalehti

One of the biggest differences between the present government and the European Commission is on present ethnic agitation laws. The PS’ Criminal Policy Program 2022 is a clear example and states that the penal code concerning ethnic agitation must be changed to ensure free speech and the possibility to criticize Islam.

Tweet: “Shall we talk about immigration? Parliament is currently debating a major package that would significantly tighten immigration policy. And what’s more, this is just the beginning.

Finland is gradually moving towards a tighter policy which is the new normal.

Hopefully, it is not moving too slowly and isn’t too late.”

Reading the most recent xenophobic tweet by the head of the PS, Riikka Purra, it’s clear that the government will do everything possible to not reform the penal code and grant migrants and minorities better legal protection against racism and discrimination.

Some of these important recommendations made by the European Commission include:

  • Grant the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman the right to take up discriminatory cases in employment;
  • The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman would have the right to take such cases to the courts;
  • Increase the capacity of the ombudsman’s staff;
  • Empower the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal to deal with complaints concerning discrimination in employment;
  • Collection of hate crime and hate speech data;
  • Data would include a system that would be collected on ethnic, religious, gender, and citizenship origin;
  • Offer more training to public staff;
  • Establish a body that will look at police discrimination, racism, and misconduct.

Minister Wille Rydman and the Finnish government laugh at the vulnerable

Posted on by Migrant Tales

If there is one matter that describes PM Petteri Orpo’s government to the tee, it is it cruelty to the most vulnerable sectors of society and migrants. The personification of antipathy and hostility is none other than Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman, a former member of the National Coalition Party who became after a scandal a member of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party.

I chatted briefly with Rydman about his letter to the editor in 2010, which he said was an “article (sic),” and claimed that migrants should throw away their culture and just concentrate on learning the Finnish language.

Reading and following Rydman during these past fourteen years, I can only come to one conclusion: An opportunist that is racially challenged who despises, in the far-right fashion, the media.

A recent quote in A-studio suffices to demonstrate his hatred of Muslims and other visible minorities. The following two statements by him below prove what he is, and the government are made of.

He rejoices in the suffering of others

“This government is cutting development aid by a total of 1.2 billion euros. This is the kind of decision that no other government [of Finland] has ever done but the Perussuomalaiset* has been able to do.”

“The reception allowance will be reduced, residence permits for refugees will be shortened and tightened, asylum applications will be processed at the border, access to citizenship will be made more difficult, and circumvention of entry rules will be prevented.

Continue reading “Minister Wille Rydman and the Finnish government laugh at the vulnerable”

A letter to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen of the Perussuomalaiset party*,

Since the Finnish media won’t ask you critical questions about the tightening of migration policy, I’d like to ask you why are you tightening the screws. Finland needs migrants and, as you know, we are up sh*t creek due to the graying of our population and its cost.

Interioir Minister Mari Rantanen.

Many parts of your migration policy show the worst of Finland. Take for instance changes in the naturalization law, where you are requiring people to live in Finland eight years from the five required now. What about human rights? Aren’t you planning to undermine such a right in the new refoulement law?

I moved to Finland in December 1978. As many children of Finnish parents, I spent my summers with my grandparents. I am grateful for those summers and the opportunity I had to experience the magical summers of Finland.

Compared with the smog and heat of Los Angeles, nothing could compare with those summers.

During that time, I grew up believing that I was a Finn and my plan was to move to this country after completing my university. I even went to the Finnish army about doing my conscription.

One day, however, after returning to live in Finland, I wondered why I had to apply for residence permits periodically. I asked the lady at the aliens’ office, yes, that was what it was called back then, why I had to apply for a residence permit periodically if I was a Finn.

Continue reading “A letter to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen”

Finland’s oppressive immigration policy is like shooting oneself in the leg

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Perusuomalaiset (PS)* Interior Minister Mari Rantanen held a press conference today and outlined how the present government is going to tighten migration policy. There was nothing new in what Rantanen said. We know about plans to tighten the citizenship law, family reunification, speed up deportations, and making it harder to get a residence permit. All of these measures begged for a question: Why?

Finland is already suffering from an unprecedented demographic crisis that has hit its economy hard. So many people are retiring that the country cannot plug such a shortage. An article in Helsingin Sanomat, predicted that the drop in people of Finnish origin would plummet to just above one million in 90 years from 5.6 million now.

In bravado fashion, the PS states: “If you don’t have a residence permit, the starting point is that you will return to your country or will be forced to return.” A statement like this is like a shot in the leg. Thank you Rantanen and the whole PS and National Coalition Party gang in government for bringing Finns closer to extinction and further economic decline.

As our migration policy speeds up the process of becoming extinct or a country with a tiny population, the PS and the National Coalition Party can rejoice that at least those that are being extinct are white Finns.

Why doesn’t the media and politicians say it out loud: The reason for our economy tanking is the lack of foreign labor.

Statements by the government and xenophobes like Rantanen are the real culprits for our demographic and economic problems and demise.

The Finnish police can remove a hijab by force if you are an asylum seeker

Posted on by Migrant Tales

A Turku Court of Apeal dropped all charges on 23.3 against seven police and security guards who removed a hijab by force from two asylum seekers in 2017. Apart from the long path of due justice, the case is unsettling because it raises the following question: why is it that a Muslim woman can use the hijab in a passport picture if she has a residence permit but not if she is an asylum seeker?

The ruling, in my opinion, is shameful and shows how little regard the police have for religious freedom of Muslims. Moreover, the five-year wait for the case to be finally decided by the Court of Appeal is a blow to trust of Finland’s legal system.

In an email dated 29.10.2022, prosecutor Heidi Suvirinne, told Migrant Tales that the Court of Appeal will not look at at the case if the police had the right to use force to remove the hijabs.

“I look at the case from a legal point of view, and the important thing is that the Court of Appeal will decide whether the police had the right to use force and whether the use of force was in concordance with the law; if not, assault [committed by the acquitted suspects).”

What is your opinion about this case?

Please send your replies to [email protected].

Read the full story here.Source: Helsingin Sanomat.

Further reading:

The tailspin of the Finnish economy – it’s the immigration, stupid!

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The growth of Finland’s economy in the past fifteen years has been disappointing with our indebtedness growing at an alarming rate totaling today about 75% of GDP, according to Yle. If we were to point to the elephant in the Finnish room, it’s clear that our rapidly aging population and too few immigrants are the culprits.

To top it off, when Finland’s debt-to-GDP ratio started to rise worryingly in the early 2010s, Finland was hit politically by the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, which made it to the major political league in the 2011 election, when its numbers rose to 39 MPs from 5 MPs previously.

During the past decade, Finland needed to attract labor immigrants in a big way but chose instead to spread populist xenophobia. Today the PS together with the National Coalition Party (NCP), and its minor partners, the Swedish People’s Party and Christian Democrats, are planning to significantly tighten immigration policy.

You don’t need to be a sociologist to understand that the whole concept of immigration and how it is supposed to work is tainted by racism and discrimination thanks to the PS and its obeient partners, the NCP. The government is doing everyting possible to keep Finland white and non-Muslim.

Read the full story in Finnish here.

Continue reading “The tailspin of the Finnish economy – it’s the immigration, stupid!”