The rhetoric of the radical-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)*party looks like a direct copy-and-paste job from Donald Trump’s Republicans and Fox news. The PS’ leader Jussi Halla-aho labels maliciously Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government as “socialist” and even PS MP Ville Tavio claims it is “communist,” you know that this is all a copy-and-paste job from the Republicans.
US President Trump and Republican senators such as Lindsay Graham commonly use terms such as socialism and communism to justify dog-eat-dog capitalism and all the racism that goes with it.
The PS are now doing the same thing.
The Fox & friends is US President Donal Trump’s favorite chat show.
The tweet below by Tavio is a good example. He states: “Is [Sanna] Marin’s government the most communist in Finnish history? Marin is more or less just as close to the Communist Party than the SDP [Social Democratic Party]. In power, we see clearly the Feminist Party, which is far-left ideologically.”
In the screenshot below, PS MP Jani Mäkelä claims that Marin’s government is more communist the puppet Terijoki government of the Soviet Union during World War 2 that was supposed to rule Finland.
PS MP Ville Tavio tweets: “Is [Sanna] Marin’s government the most communist in Finnish history? Marin is more or less just as close to the Communist Party than the SDP [Social Democratic Party]. In power we see clearly the Feminist Party, which is far-left ideologically.” Jani Mäkelä tweets: “Terijoki [the puppet Communist government of the Soviet Union that was supposed to rule Finland during World War 2] comes in second place [to Marin’s government]. Source: Twitter.
If you want to find out what new far-right soundbites the PS will spew, check out what Republican politicians are saying in the US.
I, if anyone, wishes Finland’s new prime minister, Sanna Marin, the best of luck and success.
Someone asked me a while back what I thought about former Prime Minister Antti Rinne’s government and if it signalled major improvements and changes in immigration policy and in fighting racism.
My answer was short: It all depends on the deeds.
While there has been a lot of talk by the government about respecting human rights, the rule of law, we still have not moved forward even if suspicion and racism are no longer the narrative as was the case in Juho Sipilä’s government.
We’re still in the same place we were before: The hardline policy of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is still the rule; there is a national outcry and lack of leadership about repatriating 10 women and about 30 children from the al-Hol camp in Syria; racism is profitable politically as opinion polls show; there are no new effective steps to tackle racism, job discrimination, hate speech and hate crime in our society.
When Prime Minister Marin speaks of ensuring that Finland remains an inclusive and socially just society, she must mean for migrants and minorities as well.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government. See any minorities?Source: Facebook.
I might be wrong and I hope I am. If the picture above and the ethnic makeup of Marin’s government is anything to go by, it sill does not show any visible minorities.
We had a great night at the Global Family Awards in Helsinki on Tuesday at the World Human Rights Day 2019.
We heard wonderful music by
Liikkukaa – Sports For All chair Mr. Ike Chime and a warm welcome speech by
Rasmus Ry chair Dr. Faith Mkwesha, as well as inspiring spoken word
performances by Susheela Daniel.
We began the evening in the spirit of the Finnish ‘Pikkujoulu´, organised by Rasmus Ry and with a discussion on Anti-Racist work in past, now and future facilitated by the wonderful Ajak Majok. We discussed representation, responsibilities of government, volunteers and activists, as well as privilege and saviorism, different ways to call out allies and authorities and the need for structures and networks.
As always we awarded individuals and groups for their outstanding work against racism and for social equality and human rights. Member of the Espoo City Council Mrs. Habiba Ali led us through the program.
The awardees were:
Award for civil courage and global responsibility:
Mr. Riku Riski
Riku Riski as a successful football player set an example for Global
Responsibility during 2019. He gave up his place in the national team for
ethical reasons, not travelling to the teams training camp in Qatar. According
to Amnesty International reports the building of the football stadiums in Qatar
involves human rights violations, many immigrant workers have their passports
taken and have found their death in Qatar.
Ike Chime is a published writer, artist and radio presenter. He has promoted
diversity in Finland for over thirty years. As organiser of events and
demonstrations, media persona and member of the Olympic Committees workgroup
against racism. He has also been an active supporter, volunteer and chairman of
many NGOs.
Ozan Yanar, as a former member of parliament, he has
always stood up for a dynamic and diverse society and against racism. As such
he has been a beacon of hope for many minority members.
Afrofinns Ry has now for several years done an amazing job in bringing the African Voice in Finland to the general public, unite the community and support African entrepreneurship in Finland. As part of the Rasmus Ry project to promote diversity they also created this wonderful video
Award for groundbreaking anti-racist research:
“Pysäytätyt Resaarch Project”
The Helsinki University Research Group exposed
the practises of ethnic profiling and the consequences on the communities.
The awards were handed over by Mr. Sampo Villanen, Dr. Faith Mkwesha, Mr. Christian Thibault and Mr. Ike Chime
We like to thank all our participants, volunteers,
supporters and congratulate all the awardees.
You have all done an outstanding job!
Rasmus Ry is the Finnish national network against
racism and Xenophobia, promoting equity and human rights.
LIIKKUKAA – SPORTS FOR ALL is Finlands national
umbrella for more than 70 organisations promoting equitable cultural diversity
in Finnish society through sports, leisure and culture.
As part of this endeavour, the organisations annually
distribute the Member of the Global Family Awards together
The prize aims to recognise individuals and
communities for their contribution to promote an equal, fair, open-minded and
international Finland. The prize has been awarded since 1998.
Former awardees have amongst others been:
Director of the Bank of Finland Mr. Erkki Liikanen
The reaction to what Finland should do about 10 Finnish women who are alleged wives of ISIS fighters and their 30 children at the al-Hola camp in northeast Syria has all the characteristics of social media lynch mob populism and Islamophobia.
The biggest trolls are not anonymous persons but opposition politicians of parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and the National Coalition Party (NCP). They are a worrying sign of the stranglehold that populism has over Finland.
Imagine. A country with one of the best education systems in the world, one of the highest standards of living, a social welfare state that serves as a safety net for those that need it, is acting like an unruly mob ready to lynch its victim.
Part of the blame for the present hysteria is the former government of Prime Minister Antti Rinne, who has shown reluctance and dragged its feet concerning the repatriation of the wives of ISIS fighters.
The sooner Finland repatriates these women and children, the better.
And why shouldn’t they if these women and children are Finnish citizens?
“The people are scared! What does an ISIS child look like?” Source: Ville Ranta, lltalehti.
The best way to cast away the hateful trolling of the social media lynch mobs shadow is to bring back the wives and children stranded at the al-Hol camp.
Let the rule of law and our justice system do the rest.
After a setback on Sunday, Iraqi demonstrators in front of the Finnish Immigration Service building have vowed to continue their protest, according to Walid Sahib, one of the organizers of the demonstration.
A total of four demonstrators were detained by the police on Sunday and released from custody three hours later.
“We will continue [with our protest],” said Sahib. “We are seeking permission from the city [of Helsinki]. We will go somewhere else if they say we cannot demonstrate in front of Migri.”
Iraqi demonstrators protesting in front of the Finnish Immigration Service building on Thursday. Photo: By demonstrators.
The demonstration by Iraqi asylum seekers that began on Thursday in front of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) building ended at about 1 am Sunday, according to Outi Popp, a Right to Live (Oikeus elää) activistwho brings awareness to deportations to unsafe countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.
According to a video by Popp, several police cars, a dog and even an armored vehicle appeared at the scene. The demonstration was disbanded and four demonstrators detained by the police after they said claimed they had permission to be there.
A first, the police said that a city ordinance prohibited people from camping outdoors after midnight. Popp said that Police Commissioner Johanna Sinivuori had given them permission to demonstrate in front of the building until Monday morning.
But when Commissioner Sinivuori was reached by phone, she said that the permit to demonstrate was canceled after the far-right vigilante group Soldiers of Odin were inquiring about the demonstration.
The police arrive at the scene on Sunday at about 1 am.
Walid Sahib, one of the persons taking part in the demonstration, said on Thursday that the demonstration aimed to raise awareness of the plight of undocumented migrants and others in limbo concerning their asylum applications.
Some asylum seekers in Finland have been waiting for over four years for a decision from Migri concerning their asylum cases
“There are many [thousands] people with no permission in Finland and [others] waiting for four years for their residence permits,” said Sahib. “It is a very difficult situation.”
Perussuomalaiset kertovat tänään vastauksessaan hallitustunnustelijalle, että osallistuvat vain hallitukseen, jossa kaikki puolueet sitoutuvat rehellisyyteen ja vaativat ministereiltä totuudessa pysymistä. Vaatimus on sinänsä hyveellinen ja oikea, mutta muuttuu naurettavaksi kun se tulee puolueelta, jonka politiikka kokonaisuudessaan perustuu valehteluun, huijaukseen ja vääristelyyn.
Otetaanpa esimerkiksi yksi viimeisistä näytöksistä. Perussuomalaiset keksivät kuukausi sitten alkaa tehtailla rikosilmoituksia vanhoista TV-huumorin pätkistä ja elokuvista työllistääkseen ”punavihreää poliisia” ja osoittaakseen, kuinka tyhmä on heidän usein tuomiolla kohtaamansa laki kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan.
Usutusta asiaan nähtiin persupomon seinällä.
Euroopan parlamentistakin osallistuttiin talkoisiin.
Kansalaisille pyrittiin myös osoittamaan, että huijaus- ja kiusantekomielessä tehdyt tutkintapyynnöt olivat peräisin jostain ihan muualta. Perussuomalainen kansanedustaja ja Ylen hallintoneuvoston jäsen Jari Ronkainen kommentoi 22.11. persujulkaisussa:
”Voi tätä loukkaantumisen määrää! Tuntuu siltä, että tiettyjen ihmisten ja ryhmien sietokyky on hävinnyt kokonaan ja hymy yritetään häivyttää ihmisten kasvoilta”.
Jussi Halla-aho pisti vielä paremmaksi ja käytti tekaistujen tutkintapyyntöjen kampanjaa hyväkseen eduskunnan täysistunnossa 27.11.2019 keskustelussa lakialoitteesta, jolla persut yrittävät jälleen muuttaa lakia kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan:
”Niin poliitikot kuin toimittajat ja oikeusoppineet ovat viime päivinä ihmetelleet kymmeniä vuosia vanhoihin sketsiohjelmiin liittyviä rikostutkintoja. Kuitenkin vielä hetki sitten samat ihmiset olivat sitä mieltä, että kiihottamispykälä on aivan riittävän selkeä. Kuitenkin lakiteksti mahdollistaa juuri tällaiset tulkinnat, jos tulkitsija on riittävän fanaattinen.”
Yle uutisoi 29.11.2019, että poliisi ei, kuten arvata saattoi, aloita esitutkintaa persukampanjan perusteella. Iltalehti kertoi, että ilmoituksia oli tehnyt ainakin yksi persutaustainen mies sekä muita ns. kansallismielisiksi itsensä identifioivia kansalaisia. Toimitukselle kommentteja antamaan kyseisillä isänmaan sankareilla ei ollut uskallusta.
”Kyyninen leikinteko on puolueelle hyvin tyypillinen tapa tehdä politiikkaa”, kommentoi persukampanjasta hyvän jutun kirjoittanut Iltalehden Aleksanteri Pikkarainen. Kyynisyys on kuitenkin lievä ilmaisu, kun puhutaan puolueen johtohahmojen masinoimasta rikosilmoittelukampanjasta, josta sitten valehdellaan eduskunnankin edessä.
Toiset keskittyvät pitämään huolta yhteisistä asioista, kuten poliitikon kuuluu. Haittaisänmaalliset yrittävät kepulikonstein kaivaa kuoppaa demokraattisen järjestelmän alle, säätää omia lakejaan ja häiriköidä siinä, missä vähillä hoksottimillaan pystyvät. Toivotan jaksamista kaikille kunniallisille kansanedustajille ja ministereille!
Perätön rikosilmoitus ei ole rikos. Pitäisikö perättömän poliittisen rikosilmoittelukampanjan olla?
As European politicians fruitlessly figure out how to resolve the ever-worsening refugee situation, Europe’s inaction has tuned refugees into invisible beings whose muffled sounds of suffering turn some of our hearts into stone.
Some Europeans are indifferent to the plight of such people because they believe that they could never become refugees in their lifetimes.
One family of four, a mother and two teenage daughters and an adult son, arrived two weeks ago to the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos in Greece. For many, Lesvos is the first stop of asylum seekers coming to Europe from Turkey.
The situation at the Moria camp could be characterized by overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and too few services to attend the estimated 12,000 asylum seekers effectively at the camp.
“The toilets are a kilometer from their tent, and the journey there is dangerous because it is downhill and slippery when it rains,” said a relative of the family that now lives on Lesvos. “If you get to the toilet, you’ll find long lines with families with ten children waiting for their turn.”
Lesvos Island is located 124 kilometers from the Turkish port city of Izmir. Many asylum seekers arrive to the island on rubber boats. Source: Google Maps. The tent or “home” of the Afghan family. There is no electricity or any way to heat the tent. Finding clean water is another of the many challenges that asylum seekers face on Lesvos. Source: asylum seeker.The Afghan asylum eating inside their tent. Meals are offered three times a day to the camp residents. Source: asylum seeker.
While we live in such difficult times that refugees and migrants cannot travel freely as they have done since humans left Africa about 40,000 years ago, an uncertain future awaits many today.
Even so, let’s wish this new family the best of luck in Europe and that they will find what so many migrants and refugees have searched before them: a new life.
A group of present and former asylum seekers decided to hold an indefinite demonstration in front of Helsinki’s Finnish Immigration Service’s (Migri) on Thursday for better rights and security in Finland.
Walid Sahib, one of the persons taking part in the demonstration, said that the most important matter is to raise awareness for the plight of undocumented migrants and others in limbo waiting for decisions on their asylum applications.
“There are many [thousands] people with no permission in Finland and [others] waiting for four years for their residence permits,” said Sahib. “It is a very difficult situation.”
Demonstrators outside the Finnish Immigration Service offices in Helsinki. Photo: By demonstrators.Sahib said that there is no time limit to the demonstration. The last demonstration held by Iraqi and Afghan asylum seekers at the Helsinki Railway Square lasted for 140 days.Another shorter hunger-strike demonstration was held in Helsinki in 2017.Photo: By demonstrators.
In 2016, the right-wing government of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä tightened Finland’s immigration law and did away with residence permits on humanitarian grounds. This change in the law forced the number of undocumented migrants to rise from a few hundred to a few thousand.
Then Social Democrat MP Nasima Razmyar, who is today Helsinki deputy mayor for culture and leisure, voted in 2016 to end residence permits on humanitarian grounds.
Razmyar is herself a former asylum seeker from Afghanistan.
Other migrant rights were eroded by Sipilä’s government as Amnesty International points out below.
Read the full Amnesty International Report 2017/18 here.
I would like to extend my support for these brave migrants for demonstrating for their rights. In today’s hostile environment of Finland, it is an effective way of raising your voice and invite public concern to your cause.
