THE OPINION PIECE WAS UPDATED Much of Finland’s hostility towards asylum seekers and visible minorities lies on President Sauli Niinistö, who hosts today his last Independence Day gala. For some, like me, this is good news. Hopefully, Finland’s next president will have a greater understanding of migrants, cultural diversity and peace-building. Ahti Tolvanen, who is…
Tag: anti-immigration sentiment
The wrong question by Helsingin Sanomat that feeds anti-immigration sentiment and undermines human rights
Helsingin Sanomat’s election or vote compass questions say a lot about how the Finnish media approaches and writes about asylum and migration issues. Martin Scheinin, international law and human rights professor at the European Institute University, raises an important point about how the newspaper approaches asylum policy.
Undocumented migrants and the absurd scapegoat excuses by the Finnish government
The Finnish government, specifically the interior minister, Paula Risikko of the National Coalition Party, is a master of double talk and deception when it comes to undocumented migrants.
Tightening family reunification requirements is like putting a noose around human rights
Like Europe, Finland too is suffering from a lack of leadership. When we start to fear our own ineptness in solving problems, we slide into our shells with the help of populism, simplistic solutions, and wishful thinking.
UPDATE (September 21): Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism
Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism will be updated separately. To see other examples of opinionated journalism in Finland about cultural diversity, please go to this link. September 21 Iraqis on Facebook warn compatriots against coming to Finland – (YLE in English) Why is this story an example of opinionated journalism? It’s clear that…
Finland is slowly waking up to the humanitarian refugee crisis in Europe
You know that President Sauli Niinistö said something wrong about the humanitarian refugee crisis in Europe if Perussuomalaiset (PS)* spokesperson Matti Putkonen quotes the head of state to reinforce his party’s xenophobic and anti-cultural diversity message.
Feeding our amnesia and sidestepping the issues in the immigration and refugee debate
You can remind me four years from today what I’ll say now: Very little will be resolved concerning the challenges facing our ever-growing culturally diverse society except for witch-hunts and underlining the poisonous message of “us” against “them.”
Kokoomus MP still points accusing finger at migrant women for buying new baby carriages
Even if parliamentary elections are in April, some politicians, like National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP and Espoo city councilwoman Pia Kauma, are openly attacking migrants. She’s the conservative politician who stated on Friday that migrants shouldn’t buy new baby carriages with welfare money. Kauma got an opportunity on Monday to present her case on YLE’s A-Studio….
Migrants’ Rights Network: Immigration is an important factor in Conservative rise in the polls
MT comment: Solid analysis by Awale Olad on what role the anti-immigrant message will play in the polls and upcoming elections in the United Kingdom. The delicate balancing act involves anti-immigration rhetoric, which could be ignited by the government’s Immigration Bill, and scaring away those votes it needs to capture, according to Olad. With…