Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairperson Jutta Urpilainen explained (in Finnish) in an MTV3 blog what she meant on March 20 that immigrants must abide by Finnish laws (“maassa maan tavalla” policy).
There are many good reasons why SDP’s immigration policy has the appearance of what the anti-immigration True Finns have been driving home all the time. For one, the leadership of the party believes that voters want a tough line on immigration and, especially, against Muslim groups. The party’s new immigration policy must be inspired by former hardline interior minister, Kari Rajamäki.
The SDP believes that populism will help lure voters from the True Finns camp in next year’s parliamentary elections.
Urpilainen tells us incredulously in her blog that when people come to Finland they must live under Finnish laws and norms. The statement reeks of populism. Is she stating that immigrants are potential criminals and therefore must be told to live under our laws and norms? Has she forgotten about our values on equality and diversity enshrined in our Constitution and Non-Discrimination Act?
Most of her comments are full of hollow catchwords that have been heard before. What happens in practice is a totally different story. The Social Democrats have not shown much leadership in the past to resolve social inequalities and high unemployment among the immigrant community in Finland.
Too many immigrants in Finland live marginalized from society due to high unemployment and an integration policy that is a failure. The laws of the land are not applied equally to the immigrant community when it comes to discrimination and equality.
Instead of asking future immigrants to follow the laws of the land, which is important, Urpilainen should ensure that those laws are applied fairly to everyone as well.
“For one, the leadership of the party believes that voters want a tough line on immigration and, especially, against Muslim groups.”
Not “believes” but knows. 56% of their voters and 59% of all voters to be exact.
“Is she stating that immigrants are potential criminals and therefore must be told to live under our laws and norms?”
Yes if they keep acting according to their culture, how they know what is allowed if due to “diversity” no one tells what is accepted?
Here is good example what happens when they act like home.
http://hommaforum.org/index.php/topic,4984.0.html
Hannu, I think that any sensible person that moves to a country wants to follow the laws. However, why would I want to move to a country that sees me as a potential criminal? This is where I think Finland’s immigration policy under police leadership has failed. These types of attitudes are what keep alive suspicion and fuel marginalization. To be frank, I would not want to move to such a country and would warn everyone not to come here. Maybe the Social Democrats could place a sign with the True Finns as well with other parties that we don’t really want people to move here.
I don’t know how old you are, but a too tough line on immigration could backfire. A good case and point was Eila Kännö and company in the early 1980s, whose hardline and dictatorial approach with the blessing of the government and politicians caused her to become a liability.
Were you involved in the Hommaforum survey?
I found an article about a Finnish Philosopher with a PhD who is in favour for immigration and multiculturalism and also explains why: http://sixdegrees.wm.fi/6d/index.php/wemet/37-wemet/212-positively-controversial
hannu: ask those who voted against immigrants if they have ever worked or socialized with any immigrant. Most likely not…
About your culture and what is accepted…tell me why is it possible that plenty of nationalities work together here in Ireland. Why should it not be possible in Finland as well? It’s just your barrier in your head.
“However, why would I want to move to a country that sees me as a potential criminal? ”
Yes you probably want to move places like Canada, Australia and USA where they dont only think but also demand you to prove you arent.
And you know how old i am and no i werent.
“hannu: ask those who voted against immigrants if they have ever worked or socialized with any immigrant. Most likely not…”
Who voted and where?
Hannu: The voters who want a tough line against immigration.
Then there is another thing. The borders within the EU are open. So you can move and live in any EU country as you wish.
How comes that there are so less immigrants in Finland if this country is so great and offers so many social benefits?
I mean people from other EU countries should give up everything at home and move to Finland right away? However, the largest immigrant group is from Russia which is not in the EU…
–Then there is another thing. The borders within the EU are open. So you can move and live in any EU country as you wish.
A good question we could ask: (1) are some political parties using the Muslim card to justify their hardlines against MOST immigration? If it weren’t the Mulsims it would then be another group; (2) What do these politicians want to do with immigration? Do they have a real plan NOT a bouncer plan?
Why don’t they be sincere and tell the outside world that they and most Finns are not ready for immigrants. This would save a lot of time and money.
“Hannu: The voters who want a tough line against immigration.”
Are you talking about that hommaforum poll?
As unbelievable is it might sound coming from an immigrant, I recently had a rather constructive and friendly talk with Jussi Halla-aho, where I concluded that I fully support his cause for a zero-migration policy. Where we differ is in our personal justification: whereas Jussi dangles the fear of a Muslim Europe, I simply think that it’s disgustingly irresponsible for Finland to even remotely claim to be a civilized, competitive and modern country where qualified labor and entrepreneurs are welcome, in a situation when practically everything about this country is in fact so Sovietly backwards and openly racist.
Amen Martin-Éric ! 🙂
M-É”…where I concluded that I fully support his cause for a zero-migration policy.”
Could you perhaps recap this zero-migration policy of Halla-aho because many of those who dislike him talk about this. Perhaps you could point to some of his writings where he says this.
hyva suomi
the problem of immigration truely is a top concern in this new finnish parliament,but the matter should be treated with justice,with regards to international laws on human right,accusation to particular group is not good,as it may worsten situation.the immigrants should be treated with equality and with this improve their intergration in the society,with this it will help to trap down those bad immigrants,but not only immigrant are criminals in finland ,also the finns