Tag: Finland

Does Ibrahim’s claim about Hepatitis B expose white fragility?

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Migrant Tales published a story about Ibrahim’s* “voluntary” return to Iraq after coming to Finland in October 2015.  While there were many that felt for Ibrahim’s case, some were more preoccupied with what he alleged, or that he contracted Hepatitis B when going to a Finnish dentist. 

In journalism, you run up against a lot of claims. Since we do not know if they are true of not, we sometimes give the source the benefit of the doubt by using the word alleged, which means that he claims but isn’t yet proven.

Sometimes, these types of stories reveal the most surprising things like white fragility.

Guidelines on what you can take back with you to Iraq. After almost three years, Ibrahim’s possessions must fit in two 23-kg pieces of luggage.

It is important to remember that Ibrahim alleges that he got infected in Finland even if we don’t have any proof that this actually happened. Considering the high standard of Finland’s health care system, such cases are unheard of. Even so, this is how Ibrahim sees it.

Continue reading “Does Ibrahim’s claim about Hepatitis B expose white fragility?”

Ibrahim of Iraq: “Finland is a never-ending long dark tunnel without light”

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Do you remember the patient asylum seeker called Ibrahim*, who applied to hundreds of jobs in Finland and who finally got a job at Posti to deliver newspapers at homes? Well, Ibrahim is so fed up with Finland that he decided to move back to Iraq. 

“Even if you offered me a good-paying job, I would not stay in this country,” he said. “Finland is a never-ending long dark tunnel without light. For my own mental health, it is important I leave before it is too late.”

Having moved to Finland in October 2015, Ibrahim was always an exemplary person and has made many good friends during his stay in Finland. I have only seen him angry twice: When he got his application for asylum rejected the first time in 2016 and now.

Guidelines on what you can take back with you to Iraq. After almost three years, Ibrahim’s possessions must fit in two 23-kg pieces of luggage.

Ibrahim, a computer hardware and data centers specialist in Iraq, blames bad luck for his fate.

“For me, it was a big mistake coming to Finland,” he continued. “I was free from diseases. There is a lot of structural racism and as an asylum-seeker, you will always be a second-class citizen.”

Continue reading “Ibrahim of Iraq: “Finland is a never-ending long dark tunnel without light””

La Colectiva: Statement on Trump’s and Putin’s summit in Helsinki on July 16

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La Colectiva is a group of Latin American poets and artists residing in Finland. Their names are Martina Miño, Roxana Crisologo, Rosamaria Bolom y Ana Gutieszca. For more information about La Colectiva, visit their page here. 

La Colectiva es conformada por cuatro poetas y artistas latinoamericanas residiendo en Finlandia. Sus nombres son Martina Miño , Roxana Crisologo Rosamaria Bolom y Ana Gutieszca. Para obtener más información sobre La Colectiva, pueden visitar su página aquí

STATEMENT:

LA COLECTIVA pronounces itself against a position of political neutrality in the demonstrations of July 15 and 16 for the Trump and Putin visit in Helsinki.

We will demonstrate with a clear political position anti-Trump and anti-Putin and not remain in neutrality or complicity with the atrocities and human rights violations directed by these governments.

In this demonstration we will speak out against the rhetoric that positions Latin Americans as second class citizens, drug dealers, rapists, prostitutes,etc from “SHITHOLE COUNTRIES”. We speak out against the kidnapping of 2000 to 3000 immigrant children in the United States, and the brutality, murders and disappearances of women, men, GLBT citizens and discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin by these governments.

To not take a position against, shows a complicity with the oppressor and not with the oppressed. By not taking a position, there is an acceptance of the criminalization of the solidarity we want to exercise in this protest to support citizens who are in positions of vulnerability around the world.

We have a voice and we are not afraid to demonstrate our discomfort and disagreement with the visit of these two individuals.

While many remain neutral, they are killing us.

///

PRONUNCIAMIENTO:

LA COLECTIVA se pronuncia en contra de una posición de neutralidad política en las manifestaciones del 15 y 16 de Julio por la visita Trump y Putin.

Nosotrxs marcharemos con una posición política clara anti-Trump y anti-Putin ya que si permanecemos en neutralidad somos cómplices de las atrocidades y violaciones de derechos humanos por parte de estos gobiernos.

En esta manifestación nos pronunciaremos en contra de la retórica que nos posiciona a los Latinoamericanos como ciudadanos de segunda clase, narcotraficantes, violadores, prostitutas provenientes de “SHITHOLE COUNTRIES”. Nos pronunciamos en contra del secuestro de dos mil a tres mil niños de familias inmigrantes en Estados Unidos. Nos pronunciamos en contra de los asesinatos y las desapariciones de mujeres, hombres, ciudadanos LGBT y la discriminación basada en el origen racial y étnico de las personas por parte de estos gobiernos.

No tomar partido en contra demuestra estar del lado del opresor y no del oprimido. Al no tomar una posición se acepta la criminalización de la solidaridad que queremos ejercer en esta protesta para apoyar a los ciudadanos que están en posiciones de vulnerabilidad alrededor del mundo.

Nosotrxs tenemos voz y no tenemos miedo de demostrar nuestro origen, nuestra identidad , y nuestra condición de migrantes.

Mientras muchos permanecen neutrales a nosotrxs nos están matando.

#HKIagainstTrumPutin #HelsinkiSummit #Helsinki2018 #StopTrump#LatinoamericanosenFinlandia #Wecare #sananvapaus #parisuhde#demokratia #LGBT #NosestanMatando

I am Ali: The waiting

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Migrant Tales insight: Katie Bell wrote us an email a while back and asked if she could publish a story about an Iraqi asylum seeker called Ali, who spoke on condition of anonymity. She writes in an email: “After interviewing him for more details and exactly what he wants to tell, I will compose a ghost-written account of his story. Could we post his story on your site and make his voice heard?”

 “I am Ali, I am 32 years old and I am from Iraq. Over two and a half years after arriving in Finland, I am still waiting ‘in peace’ for a decision about my status in this country. I want to share my experiences to feel heard and I am hoping, still, that something can change. Here is my story.

At first I trusted the police. My first night in Finland was funny for me. I had tried to dress and smell nicer for our landing, but the days of travelling had ruined my chances of escaping the police unseen. They didn’t have enough cells for all of us who had arrived so I was put in the smoking room. I spent the whole night smoking and talking with the policeman on duty. He told me about his whole life, his family and he listened to my story. I felt relief for the first time since leaving Iraq. I finally felt safe.

Now I find it hard to trust the authorities. Knowing about how refugees, just like me, are treated by the police has changed my opinion. It is hard to ignore the stories. I have heard from friends about and witnessed deportations. They don’t give them time for anything: not to pack, not to think and not even to take their phone. I know people who have stood in front of the police like a shield. Not to fight, because of course they can’t stop it, but to let their friend grab whatever is important to them and to give them time. I am not scared because I have known that this could happen to me for 3 years now, it is impossible to live in fear. Instead I try to remain positive and make the best of my situation.

If guide telling you what you can take to your country if you decide to return “voluntarily.”

I work hard in a job that is much lower than what I had in Iraq. Even though I am so grateful of being able to work and earn a living, it is not what I want from my life. At the moment I am appealing the rejection of my work permit application and waiting to know if I can stay and continue building a life here.

I have met many people with racist views. I try and create a conversation with them because actually they’re not racists; they just don’t know us yet. They haven’t had a connection with us because they haven’t talked to us. If they did, they’d change their minds.

There’s a story I have told before, one friend likes to call it the Celine Dion Story. I was staying in a refugee centre a few months after arriving. We experienced a lot of troubles at the time with people who had attacked the building, who threw stones and even set on fires. One night there was a group of guys parked outside. We were warned against going out due to the previous problems but that night I ventured out. I thought to myself: ‘it may be careless but I have lived through scarier events in my life, this is nothing.’ I approached them peacefully, knowing full well that they wanted to fight, but I stayed calm and just spoke to them. ‘You’re not racists’, I said, ‘you just don’t know me yet’. After finding out about my past they asked ‘but why didn’t you stay to fight the terrorists in your own country? Why didn’t you stay to defeat ISIS?’ I still believe in my response: ‘when a man does not know his enemy, when he must even suspect his neighbours, it is not a coward who leaves but it is a clever man.’ I felt like they were opening up to me and after curious questions about my temporary home, my living situation, my treatment they asked me the best question: ‘Who is your favourite singer?’ ‘Celine Dion, of course!’ From then on neither side could be scared of the other and they even offered to help me. I wish I could have this kind of conversation with everyone, and then perhaps our situation or peoples’ perceptions of us wouldn’t be so bad. I believe we wouldn’t all live in such fear of the other.

When I’m asked how I feel, it is hard to describe one state of mind. Due to the uncertainty of my life, I am constantly worrying and calculating my situation. What do I do next? Where will I live? Every day I must reassess my life. Every day my head is heavy with the weight of my situation.

I recently turned 32, surrounded by friends and people who have helped me to create a life here in Helsinki. Like everyone of my age, I am starting to think of having a family, of settling down. My ex-fiancée, whom I had to leave, is still waiting for me, in the house next door to my parents who are also waiting for my return. Every day I think about going back to them.

The worst thing is I am not free to make a decision. I don’t have the freedom of movement enjoyed by many of my European friends. My passport and, along with it, my fate is held in the hands of the Finnish authorities. I feel like a prisoner in a prison with invisible walls.”

 This article is based on several conversations with Ali and ghost written by Katie Bell.

 

PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen gets convicted for sexual harassment after ethnic agitation. Why is he still a lawmaker?

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Disgraced Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Teuvo Hakkarainen was convicted by a Helsinki District Court for sexual harassment after he attempted to kiss MP Veera Ruoho by force, according to YLE News. Hakkarainen was convicted last year for ethnic agitation. 

The Helsinki District Court ordered Hakkaranen to pay fines amounting to 3,060 euros to the state and 1,400 euros in damages to Ruoho in damages as well as her court costs.

The incident took place at a Christmas Party last year at Parliament when Hakkarainen was intoxicated. He approached Ruoho grabbed her by the neck and forced her to kiss him.

On Tuesday, Helsinki prosecutor Eija Velitski said that she would appeal the decision that Hakkarainen receive a suspended jail sentence.

But on Tuesday Helsinki prosecutor Eija Velitski announced her decision to appeal the case requesting that Hakkarainen also receive a suspended jail sentence. Velitski that in the worst of circumstances, the PS MP could have caused Ruoho’s death.

While the politician saw his day in court, many are wondering why Hakkarainen does not resign as MP or why the PS, which is always blaming migrants for sexual harassment and rape, does not sack him from the party.

Read the full story here.

Continue reading “PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen gets convicted for sexual harassment after ethnic agitation. Why is he still a lawmaker?”

The more politicians and racists vilify migrants the stronger we get

Posted on by Migrant Tales

No matter how much politicians vilify migrants and continue to attack us, the more desperate their situation becomes. We, migrants, are a near-endless resource. As long as people can dream and hope, migration will remain. You cannot kill it. 

As a person born in Latin America, it is incredible how selective the media is in reporting racism. After so much tampering in our internal affairs while exploiting our wealth, the United States, specifically the likes of President Donald Trump, are “surprised” by the hundreds of thousands of migrants that are fleeing strife, war, chronic inequality, and poverty.

A simple question: I wonder why people are fleeing to the United State?

In the United States they separate children from their parents. In Europe and Finland we are more “civilized” since we don’t separate children but incarcerate them with their parents.

It is the same story in the Middle East after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The United States and its European partners invade, pillage, kill hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Middle Easterners and expect opportunistically people to stay, inhabitants of the misery, we created for them.

A simple question: I wonder why people are fleeing to Europe?

The environment is another problem of our making and it is hitting us hard but with a difference from the latter two examples: the disaster includes us, the perpetrators.

A simple question: I wonder who is to blame and what are we going to do?

No matter how much tin-pot populist like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kruz, Italy’s Lega Nord, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark’s Islamophobia on steroids, and chaotic Brexit, try, we will prevail in the end.

Their knee-jerk reaction, their Islamophobia, and xenophobia, are ample proof of that.

Ali’s journey (June 13, 2018): The long journey back. Baghdad feels like a sauna

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Twenty-five days have passed since Ali,* 22, who speaks on condition of anonymity, “voluntarily” returned to Iraq from Finland. Sometimes the journey back to where you were once from is longer than the one that took you to foreign lands. The first journey fueled by hope and the other one back to your former homeland with question marks and doubts.  

Below is the first message I received from Ali when he landed in Baghdad on May 21:

Baghdad sometimes feels like a sauna, according to Ali.

He continues (the comment was lightly edited) in a message dated May 23:

“Well yeah it is so exhausting [the journey back], but that feeling when you see ur mom after long, long time it’s the best feeling in the world; [it’s the same feeling when you] also my brother and some friends, but still, for sure, there’s that feeling of not being safe etc.. it makes me think too much but I don’t wanna think of it, like it’s like that and [there is] nothing i can do so.. but i feel good and all good for now. And also i feel like it’s been 100 years when i was here last time and things are not the same…”

This evening when I spoke to Ali he repeated what he said in Finland and on his return to Baghdad: “Even if I’m here I still don’t believe that I’m back. It’s a weird feeling because I never saw myself returning.”

Continue reading “Ali’s journey (June 13, 2018): The long journey back. Baghdad feels like a sauna”

Finnish identity: You define who you are, nobody else can or should do that for you

Posted on by Migrant Tales

We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.

Anaïs Niin (1907-77)

The Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a shrinking single-issue political party that wants, but cannot succeed, at turning Finland into a Denmark-style country where political parties try to outdo each other in their racism and bigotry. 

With parliamentary elections just ten months away in April 2019, it is clear that the PS is doing everything possible to attract attention with their political antics. Contrary to the 2011 parliamentary elections, when the number of their MPs rose to 39 from 5 in the previous election, those years are long gone.

According to some polls, the PS is going to be one of the biggest losers of the 2019 parliamentary elections.

While this may be the case, the PS will launch repeated attacks and spread lies about migrants and minorities.

One of these involves closing our borders to asylum seekers, especially to those who cannot read or write.

One PS city councilman from Mikkeli contended in a blog post, which was full of grammatical errors that 46% of all sexual crimes against under-18-year-old teenagers are by asylum seekers.

The claim, which the councilperson bases on a Police University College report, forgets to mention that 46% figure he uses is from a sample of 147 cases or a total of 68 cases. In 2015, 32,477 asylum seekers came to Finland. If we just look at that year, 147 cases out of 32,477 asylum seekers total 0.45%.

Getting one’s facts wrong and grossly exaggerating them is nothing new for the PS.

Another recent claim by the PS is that in 30 years Finland will have cities where white people will be minorities.

Read the full story (in Finnish) here.

The claim, that white Finns will become a minority in the face of migrants and minorities, is one of the oldest tricks in the books by anti-immigration parties.

Continue reading “Finnish identity: You define who you are, nobody else can or should do that for you”

How to fool customers by changing the expired sell-by dates of your products

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Migrant Tales has exposed how an Espoo-Helsinki-based food distributor allegedly pays asylum seekers under the table. The company’s name, which the authorities know, allegedly threatens asylum seekers to do their dirty work, like change the sell-by date of its products. 

The company in question allegedly told one of these asylum seekers that it had employed that it would report the person to the police if it did not change the expired sell-by date of its products.

The asylum seekers had two rejections for asylum and deportation proceedings were hanging over his head.

Let us show you how this company changes the sell-by dates of one of its many products.

  1. Remove the whole flour (chakki atta) from a pink bag;

  2. Use nail-polish remover to erase the old sell-by date with a fake date;

  3. Put the chakki atta flour back in the same bag you took them out of and sew the bag so nobody will suspect a thing.

1.  Take the expired chakki atta whole flour from the pink bag.

2. Changing the sell-by date is easy. In the extreme left picture, it reads that the whole flour (chakki atta) in the bag was packaged on 22 Jan. 17 and should be sold by 21 Oct 17. With some nail remover and a cloth (second picture) wipe the old dates off the package. Use a stamp with new dates and, presto, the product has a fake sell-by date. How much profit does this company make on these products?

3. A sewing machine and fake sell-by dates make the product look new.

 

 

How Finland’s media writes about migrants and minorities: Helsingin Sanomat does it again

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This story below by Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s largest daily, is a typical example of how the media portray migrants and minorities in this country: There must be a picture of a Somali woman because it is about migrants, and not one member of the non-white Finnish community is interviewed. 

While the story gives superficial reasons why white Finns are so strict about whom they accept as Finns, the reporter should have dug deeper and ask how we ended up becoming a racialized society.

You will not have to search far because the answer is in our recent history. Even at elementary schools in the 1970s, children were taught that n stood for the n-word. While eugenics was relegated into the dustbin of history after World War 2, history books in Finland fifty years ago claimed that we were made up of two races: the Nordic and Eastern Baltic.

Learn your ABCs at elementary school in the 1970s. N-word washes her face, but it doesn’t whiten. Why do Finns have difficulty in seeing non-whites as Finns? Part of the answer is in the racist upbringing that we had at school.

In 2015, Migrant Tales published a series of stories highlighting the Finnish media’s deficient and opinionated reporting about migrants and minorities.

We will begin to publish more of these types of stories from June.

Read the full story here.

Below are some of the things to watch for when looking at the Finnish media’s bias when reporting on migration and minorities:

  • White sources are almost always used as authorities when immigrants and minorities are the topic;
  • Editors too often ask white experts – rarely if ever migrant or minority experts –  their view of the “immigrant problem;”
  • Editors of Finland’s main dailies are white Finns;
  • We give inflated respectability and importance to racists because they mirror our attitudes;
  • In Finland, the stronger racism became, the more airtime it gets;
  • The rise of racism in our society and our coverage of it reveals how unbalanced and uncritical our media is;
  • When it comes to fighting racism, the media are part of the problem.