Finland’s has a long and rich migrant history, and this should help guide us to build an inclusive and just country as our society becomes ever-culturally and ethnically diverse during this century.
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How the Finnish government, institutions and President Sauli Niinistö pander to anti-immigration sentiment and groups
Just the way Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government can give a tacit pat on the back to far-right groups like Suomi Ensin (Finland First), the police give the green light to extremist vigilante groups, or President Sauli Niinistö give the thumbs up to the Finnish version of the Okie from Muskogee, all of them if they wanted could land a big blow to such racist groups by stating that they are unacceptable and out of touch with our Nordic values.
Connect the dots between the Perussuomalaiset, a government party, and Neo-Nazis and other far-right groups
Taking into account all the debate and pouring of outrage, some fake, some honest, at what happened last week, when a Neo-Nazi Kansallinen Vastarinta (SVL) member provoked the death of Jimi Joonas Karttunen, I am a bit worried about how we are taking our eye off the ball.
Eva Biaudet: Finland’s ever-culturally and ethnically diverse society in the new century (Part II)
Swedish People’s Party (SPP) MP Eva Biaudet strongly believes that the blueprint to create a just and equal society for everyone in Finland hinges on Nordic and EU values.
Migrants’ Rights Network: Eurosceptics make all the noise, but the real case for free movement and migration has yet to be made
Don Flynn* David Cameron’s vow last week to have ‘one last go’ at changing EU migration rules have dominated discussion in recent days. Commission president Manuel Jose Barroso’s comments are welcome, but the positive case for free movement needs to be made by principled politicians as well as EU officials. Read full posting here. …
National Coalition Party and Perussuomalaiset lead anti-immigration drive in Finland
With parliamentary elections nearing in April, topping the anti-immigration rhetoric list are two parties with representatives in parliament: National Coalition Party and who else but the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. We’ve been reading almost daily about National Coalition Party MP Pia Kauma’s crusade against migrant women with baby carriages. The PS are another hostile party to migrants…
HS Suomen Gallup: 60% feel that Finland should not take more immigrants
A poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s largest-circulation daily, and conducted by Suomen Gallup showed that close to 60% of Finns now feel that the country should not increase the number of immigrants. The corresponding percentage three years ago was 36%.
The government does not have a credible anti-racism plan because it doesn’t want to
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…
Being a Russian minority in an ever-hostile Finland
The Eastern Finnish cities of Joensuu, Imatra and Lappeenranta are aiming to shut down Russian-language schools which has led to an intense debate about the future of such institutions. While some argue about economic factors and lack of demand for the closure of such schools, others point the finger at anti-Russian and anti-foreign sentiment. Katja…
Yahya Rouissi: Finnish government’s plans to ethnically profile racialized youths
Recent discussions by the Finnish government have raised concerns among human rights groups about the possibility of copying Denmark to carry out random spot checks on people in certain neighborhoods. If such a measure were ever implemented, it could lead to France’s controversial Article 24 which restricts videoing the police with the intention of “threatening…