The anti-immigration and anti-EU Perussuomalaiset party nominated MP Jussi Halla-aho as vice member of Finland’s delegation to the Council of Europe, reports YLE in English. The controversial nomination of Halla-aho, who was sentenced for ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion, prompted the parliamentary leaders of seven parties to express regret in a joint statement for the appointment.
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“We find it regrettable that the Finns Party named as their representative a MP convicted of breaching the sanctity of religion and for inciting ethnic hatred,” the joint statement said. “Despite repeated appeals, the Finns Party did not want to change their candidate for delegation vice member.”
Halla-aho was quoted as saying on Lahti-based Etelä-Suomen Sanomat that picking on one MP by “demonizing and humiliating” him year after year was “personally unpleasant and embarrassing from the point of view of parliament.”
One of the roles of the Council of Europe is to watch over and promote human rights. The parliamentary group leaders that signed the joint statement correctly felt that Halla-aho’s appointment was in conflict with his ethnic agitation sentences he got last year.
Not only do his sentences cast a question mark over his appointment, but his far-right, racist and Islamophobic views.
Migrant Tales associate editor Justice Demon believes, however, that the appointment may be good for Halla-aho.
”The Council of Europe represents the progressive values and culture that Halal-höpö publicly despises,” he wrote in an email, “but this did not stop him from running to the Court of Human Rights [a Council of Europe organ] when he felt that it would be in his interests to do so.”
It really is about time YLE learned the difference between the European Council and the Council of Europe.
Well, it’s not like he’s shown any remorse for his crimes, is it! And now he wants to play the victim of his own stubbornness in the matter. I guess he sees a benefit in gathering experiences within the EU parliament from other ultra-nationalist anti-immigration parties! Glad the party leaders came out and expressed their disappointment – it will be clear then at least to our European partners that he DOES NOT represent the mainstream views of Finnish citizens.