Category: Enrique Tessieri

Finland should ask the EU to ditch Human Rights altogether. Why should we care less for refugees?

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The depths of Finnish hypocrisy continue to find new records with President Alexander Stubb. Finland entered uncharted waters a week ago after the pushback law was passed, which compromised the country’s human rights, the Constitution, and international agreements.

The president’s hubris and anti-Russian sentiment were exposed for everyone to witness when he said that the pushback law would serve as a good model for other countries to copy.

Stubb signed the new bill into law on Monday. He was a bit apologetic: “I understand the legal and humane considerations associated with this act. The debate is an indication of Finnish people’s strong commitment to national security and the rule of law.”

Even Interior Minister Mari Rantanen showed a rare commodity of her personality: I hope the new law will never be applied, she said.

During these difficult times when Finland has ditched its human rights obligations, we should not forget one matter: The new law is incompatible with Human Rights, the Constitution, and international agreements. Article 30 of the Human Rights Convention states:

“Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.”

Even if Stubb portrays strength, some consider him a wishy-washy politician who could care less for migrant and minority rights. Read the full story in Finnish here.

Continue reading “Finland should ask the EU to ditch Human Rights altogether. Why should we care less for refugees?”

Human Rights in Finland should be our struggle’s clarion call

Posted on by Migrant Tales

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

Nelson Mandela

The passage on Friday of the pushback law with the support of the Social Democrats, demonstrates that we have entered uncharted waters. We should not be naive to think that the shelving of human rights, undermining our constitution, and turning our backs on international agreements will be a one-off matter.

Even if Human Rights form part of our Constitution, one may ask why so little regard for such rights. One reason is that Finland saw Human Rights as subversive during the Cold War since it undermined relations with the former Soviet Union.

In Argentina, my country of birth, we used human rights as an ever-growing rallying cry against one of the most sanguinary military regimes in our history. The matter was sounded by groups like the Mother of Plaza de Mayo whose loved ones had disappeared.

At first, they were called the “Crazy” Mothers of Plaza de Mayo because no one dared to stand up against the military régime.

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo still demonstrate on Thursdays at the Plaza de Mayo right in front of the presidential palace. Their first march took place in April 1977, the month I started my conscription in the army. The Mother of Plaza de Mayo was one factor why the military regime could not murder with impunity. People like me are eternally grateful for their bravery and example.

The fact that Human Rights took a big blow in Finland thanks to the pushback law, it’s clear that we cannot rely on the government or the Social Democrats to defend these rights. We therefore need a social movement that raises awareness of Human Rights.

In Argentina, Human Rights violations were one factor that brought the military regime down. We must do the same to vote out this terrible government that wipes its rear end with Human Rights.

Some may ask why do I make such a fuss about Human Rights.

The answer is simple: I lived in a country where Human Rights were shelved that was followed by Illegal detentions, torture, and death.

12 July 2024 was Finland’s day of infamy for Human Rights and the rule of law

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Finland’s controversial pushback law received in parliament the needed two-thirds majority to turn away people seeking asylum at the border. One hundred sixty-seven MPs voted for the law while 31 voted against it.

Critics of the law argue that it conflicts with the Constitution, Human Rights, and international agreements signed by Finland with the United Nations and the EU.

Below, Mats Uotila, a Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party member, wanted to ridicule those MPs who voted against the law. They are the few brave ones who stood up against the fear-mongering and ultranationalistic attacks by the PS, National Coalition Party (PS), and others.

One of the most jaw-dropping pictures in parliament today was PS Fiance Minister Riikka Purra and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen. The law when approved, which puts in harm’s way migrants seeking asylum and a better life, makes Rantanen cry and hug Purra.

What is wrong with these people? They get emotional when they succeed at stripping people of their Human Rights?

Minister Purra and Rantanen hugging and shedding tears after Finland threw under the bus Human Rights, the Constitution, and international agreements protecting asylum seekers.

Continue reading “12 July 2024 was Finland’s day of infamy for Human Rights and the rule of law”

The pushback law will be remembered as a day of infamy for Human Rights in Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Finland’s parliament will vote today for the pushback law law that should b seen as another nail in the coffin of Finland’s experiment in being a more open country based on Human Rights. After Finland became an EU member in 1995, many monumental legal changes changes were made, like the drafting of the new constitution strongly grounded on Human Rights.

During the Cold War, Human Rights were never held in high esteem. The reason was Finland’s policy of appeasement to the former Soviet Union. Speaking out for Human Rights, never mind joining the Council of Europe back then, would have been unthinkable because it would put in jeaoparty Finnish-Soviet relations.

Many of the politicians in Parliament, like NCP MP Ben Zyskowicz, served during the Cold War era and explains why he doesn’t place a lot of importance on Human Rights and is ready to ridicule legal experts who have spoken out against the pushback law.

It should not be a surprise that parties like the radical-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, and National Coalition Party (NCP) with the cheerleading of the Christian Democrats, Swedish People’s Party and Center Party, are watering down the civil right gains made after EU membership.

It is not only the purshback law what will chip away at our fundamental rights, but other ones already promosted by the government. These include labor rights, social security and migrant rights. Since we are on a slippery slope, is the next step to take away the dual citizenship rights of Finnish-Russians?

If there is one matter that surprises me the most about the present situation is how easy it is for the government to implement this dangerous development.

In a recent interview on an Italian TV program on the Finnish-Russian border, I mentioned that in many respects Finland resembles a small town. Add to the latter anti-Russian sentiment, and iyou have a winning argment.

Whatever the outcome of the voting today on the pushback law, today will be remembered as a day for infamy for Human Rights in Finland.

Left Alliance offers an option to the government’s austerity, anti-environmental and xenophobic policies

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The government of National Coalition Party (NCP) Prime Minister Petteri Orpo looks like after a year like a wrecking ball of Finland’s social welfare state. We have already seen how his government actions have undermined the labor market, social welfare, and emboldened hostile migration policy.

The next big step is the government’s plans to pass the pushback law, which would in effect trash Human Rights, the Constitution, and international law.

Despite these radical changes, voters offered a surprise: The Left Alliance placed second after the NCP with 17.3% in the recent MEP election.

The Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, relied on its anti-immigration message to get votes. It failed. The PS came in sixth place with only 13.8%.

The recent opinion poll by Yle revealed that the Left Alliance gained 11.6%, up 2.1 percentage points, which is a record for te party.

Source: Yle News

Continue reading “Left Alliance offers an option to the government’s austerity, anti-environmental and xenophobic policies”

MEP Henna Virkkunen: A future EU commissioner of Finland who would care less for the fate of those crossing into the EU

Posted on by Migrant Tales

National Coalition Party MEP Henna Virkkunen is hoping to become an EU commissioner. However, there is a question: Is a person qualified if he or she would care less or very little if people die when coming to Europe?

In the 2019 MEP election, she responded in the Alma Meter election compass in the affirmative to the question 13*: “The EU must save all those migrants who are at risk of drowning attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.”

Virkkunen “disagreed” that the EU must save those migrants crossing the Mediterranean from drowning.

In the 2024 election compass, Virkkunen still showed little regard for people crossing into the EU. Question 11 of Yle’s election compass asked a yes or no answer: “A person trying to reach Europe can be turned back at the border, even if it would put their life in danger.”

Virkkunen responded in the affirmative, yes, it was ok to push back the person even if his or her life were in danger.

Her response and possible naming as EU commissioner shows how low we have stooped in Europe.

Continue reading “MEP Henna Virkkunen: A future EU commissioner of Finland who would care less for the fate of those crossing into the EU”

The elephant in the room that shows us the way to Hungary, and wishful political thinking in Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

How can the government be so worried about “national security” if you are ready to trash our most sacred rights like Human Rights, the Constitution, and international agreements?

The Draft Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration, or the so-called pushback law, is not only concerning how the constitutional committee can sidestep our most sacred values as a society based on Human Rights, the Constitution, and international agreements but how politicians who should know better are demanding such changes.

It’s clear that the pushback law is not only a move to undermine our rights, but will lead to other changes by using the pretext of “national security.”

I lived in Argentina during one of its most violent military régimes. The way the military could throw Human Rights and the rule of law in the trash can was “defending national security.” To do this they committed atrocities that led to the disappearance of over 30,000 people.

After they got rid of their enemies, the left-wing guerrillas, they looked for “potential” terrorists. You read right. People who could become terrorists.

Finland’s shameful politicians of the pushback law are President Alexander Stubb, National Coalition Party (NCP) Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Constituional Committee Chairperson Heikki Vestman, Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, Finance Minister Riikka Purra, Aministrative Committee Chairperson Mauri Peltokangas, and Justice Minister Leena Meri.

The above list is NOT conclusive. We can name many PS, NCP, and Center Party politicians who would fit the bill. One of these is former President Sauli Niinistö, who has had an ambiguously hostile view of asylum seekers and Russian dual citizens.

Upper left to right: President Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Constitutional Committee Chairperson Heikki Vestman (lower row left to right) Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, Finance Minister Riikka Purra, Administrative Committee Chairperson Mauri Peltokangas, and Justice Minister Leena Meri.

What anti-Human Rights “merits” do the following politicians have?

  • Alexander Stubb: After being elected president, Stubb has shown how little he regards Human Rights, the Constitution, international agreements, and minority rights. Apart from holding such values as suspect whenever it is convenient politically, his support of the pushback law can also be seen as payback to Petteri Orpo, who supported him as the NCP’s presidential candidate. His statements are political and lack the credibility of a statesman. One of these was to MTV, when he mentioned that the asylum seekers at the border are not “real” refugees.

Erna Bodstöm tweets: “In recent years, according to Migri, Yemenis and Syrians have practically always been granted asylum, and Iraqis and Ethiopians in at least half of the cases. So these people are genuine asylum seekers and many are likely to be eligible for protection.”

Continue reading “The elephant in the room that shows us the way to Hungary, and wishful political thinking in Finland”

Finland’s shameful “let them die” MEPs: Mika Aaltonen, Pekka Toveri, Henna Virkkunen, Sebastian Tynkkynen and Katri Kulmuni

Posted on by Migrant Tales

In the 2019 European Parliament election, Henna Virkkunen of the National Coalition Party agreed that the EU was not obligated to save people from drowning in the Mediterranean. She was in good company with the likes of Perussuomalaiset MEPs Laura Huhtasaari and Teuvo Hakkarainen.

Virkkunen reasoned that we should stop traffickers, even if it means allowing people to drown and die at sea.

After five years of being in the EU parliament, she still believes that people should die after being pushed back at the border.

Question 11 of Yle’s election compass: “A person trying to reach Europe can be turned back at the border, even if it would put their life in danger.”

Source: AP

The good news is that only five of Finland’s 15 MEPs would care less id people died trying to cross the border. These are three from the National Coalition Party (NCP), one Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, and one from the Center Party, which has a wishy-washy track record on immigration.

The Center Party MEP and then finance minister, Katri Kulmuni, posted in 2019 an Internet poll asking if repatriating “[Finnish] children only” or “children and [Finnish] mothers” from the al-Hol camp in Syria.

Tynkkynen, who was convicted three times for ethnic agitation, likes to give the image of a “tolerant” politician since he is gay and married to an African. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The last two, Mika Aaltola and Pekka Toveri, are fuelled by bravado and opportunism.

Aaltola is a media creation and Toveri is a general who likes to talk tough.

The elephant in the racist room is the Perusuomalaiset and the government

Posted on by Migrant Tales

If the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a far-right party, is it correct to say that the National Coalition Party a radical-right party?

After the second stabbing in a week in Oulu, politicians are sending their condolesneces. The question we should be looking at is the level of disingenuity. Parties like the PS and politicians like Interioir Minister Mari Rantanen and Finance minister Riikka Purra are to blame.

President Alexander Stubb, who has been quite after the first stabbing, is now quoted by Yle as saying the second stabbing is “perhaps” a wakeup call for Finland.

It IS a long overdue wake up call! Wake up Stubb!

Rantanen, who based her campaign on racist and far-right conspiracy theories, was quoted as saying in an Helsingin Sanomat interview that there is no connection between the stabbings in Oulu and the government’s migration policy and debate of the issue.

One of Rantanen’s racist soundbite “hits:” “We must not be so blue-eyed that soon we will not be blue-eyed.” In Finnish, sinisilmäinen, or blue-eyed, means being naive. Source: Facebook

“I don’t see any connection between the stabbings in Oulu and immigration policy and talking about it,” she said, adding that her infamous statement about blue eyes was not racist.

“I don’t think I have spread racist thinking in Finland.,” continued Rantanen. “And what does that have to do with this stabbing in Oulu?”

And then there was Purra, who blamed the first stabbing on youth gangs comprising of brown and black members. She was later forced to eat her words.

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Mari Rantanen has no credibility and should resign – her racist posts reveal who she is

Posted on by Migrant Tales

In the face of the far right in government, the only thing that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo can parrot is that we have a good government program.

The recent MEP election revealed how little credibility Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government has. The Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, suffered a stinging blow. The National Coalition Party (NCP) was spared by the good showing of three candidates, Mika Aaltola, Pekka Toveri, and Henna Virkkunen.

The election changed a lot of matters. For one, did it weaken the support of the pushback law getting the needed two-thirds majority? Has the PS’ stint in Orpo’s government shortened? Did the poor showing of the PS embolden some MPs not to give their vote of confidence Tuesday to PS Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman?

Two stories with legal experts, university professors and other social influencers speaking out against the pushback law drafted by the government in Helsingin Sanomat and Yle.

The  Draft Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration, or pushback law is now at the constitutional committee. I am certain that its chairperson, Heikki Vestman of the NCP, would not think twice at throwing Finland’s Human Rights, international agreements and constitution under the bus. He does so because he falsely believes he’ll never become a refugee.

Moreover, and taking a look at other EU borders, it’s clear that in Finland will see violence, suffering, and death.

If we look at the brainchild and cheerleader of the pushback law, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and the PS with the support of the NCP, we only have to look at her social media history to conclude that she is the last person we should be listening to.

Looking at Rantanen’s and the PS’ racist history can be found in social media. It is there, trying to desperately hide from the public’s view.

Below, are some of Minister Rantanen’s most racist and infamous quotes:

Just before the MEP election on 9 June, the PS reached up the fear-mongering of asylum seekers in its campaign brochure by picturing them as hoards.

Continue reading “Mari Rantanen has no credibility and should resign – her racist posts reveal who she is”