Tag: Finland

Another young Iraqi asylum seeker faces deportation from Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Another hapless asylum seeker, 24, was about to be deported a day after he was detained by the police on January 2. The deportation failed after he started to yell at the top of his voice prompting three civilian police officers to remove him off the plane. 

The asylum seeker, who is now awaiting deportation at the Metsälä immigration removal center in Helsinki, said that the police plan to deport him to Iraq next week.

While it is scandalous that a person who searches for a better life in Europe is being deported against his will, there are legal loopholes that permit deportation, like that of the Iraqi asylum seeker, to happen swiftly.

Bruises on the head and arm. An ID snapshot of the asylum seeker.

The asylum seeker’s deportation a day after he was asked to visit the police station was possible because a court hadn’t challenged the deportation order by the National Immigration Service (Migri). The asylum seeker’s lawyer should have stopped the deportation and asked the court for more time to review the case.

Continue reading “Another young Iraqi asylum seeker faces deportation from Finland”

The police should investigate MV for labeling people “terrorists” and publishing their pictures

Posted on by Migrant Tales

MV-lehti is a racist trash publication that doesn’t care to put people in harm’s way by labeling them as “terrorists” as did happen in Murha.info. Migrant Tales believes that one of the many defamation cases and crimes investigated by the police involving MV should involve an Iraqi asylum seeker called Jihad Baghdadi.

Baghdadi’s picture was published in MV-lehti last spring, and this put the asylum seeker in direct danger with far-right vigilante groups like the Soldiers of Odin. On spotting Baghdadi in the Helsinki neighborhood of Kallio in spring, members of the vigilante group started to chase the asylum seeker.

Bahdhadi luckily escaped capture after he boarded a tram.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is NaÌ?yttoÌ?kuva-2019-10-14-kello-18.57.54.png

Read the full story here.

Continue reading “The police should investigate MV for labeling people “terrorists” and publishing their pictures”

Iraqi asylum seeker detained in Tampere by the police on Friday was released today

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The nineteen-year-old asylum seeker from Iraq, who was detained by the police on Friday awaiting possible deportation was released today at about 1 pm, according to his representative. 

“I called the supreme administrative court this morning at 8 am about my friend’s case and if they could speed up the decision concerning his appeal,” said his representative. “He was released from custody at 1 pm today, and we believe that the supreme administrative court allegedly ruled in favor of his appeal.”

The representative said that even if the asylum seeker is happy about being released, he feels “exhausted” by the ordeal.

The asylum seeker’s cell at the Tampere police station.

The Iraqi asylum seeker, who converted to Christianity, had received three email death threats from Iraq while in detention.

“My friend [who was detained] wants to thank everyone who prayed for him and tried to help him while in police custody,” the representative said.

19-year-old detained asylum seeker in Tampere “is in good spirits” despite situation

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The person who represents the nineteen-year-old asylum seeker from Iraq thanks all the people who wrote words of encouragement to him during the past days. “He is in good spirits thanks to the emails but angry at the same time,” the representative told Migrant Tales by phone. “He doesn’t understand why he’s locked up [since Friday, December 29] since he’s no criminal.”

The young Iraqi asylum seeker’s case still hinges on a decision from the supreme administrative court.

The asylum seeker’s cell at the Tampere police station.

“We hope to get an answer on Tuesday about [supreme administrative] court’s decision,” said the representative. “They [the police]  haven’t said where they’ll transfer him next if to Metsäkä, Joutseno or another immigration detention center [like Lappeenranta]. They said that it all depends on where there’s space.”

The Iraqi asylum seeker, who converted to Christianity, has received three email death threats from Iraq while in detention.

Migrant Tales will continue to update this story. 

If you want to send the asylum seeker words of encouragement or want to wish him well, send your messages through [email protected] (not the asylum seeker’s email).

 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Finnish identity isn’t a monolithic slab held together by power, privilege, prejudice, and bigotry

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The biggest challenge facing our culturally and ethnically (non-white) community this century is the narrow definition of who we are.  As long as our definition excludes others,  all efforts at “integrating” newcomers and ensuring that they become members of society will fail. The aims of our schools to teach children of foreign parents to become active citizens will fail, too.

Our non-white community will help Finland one day to understand that we’re not monolithic slabs of identity held together by our power, privilege, prejudice, and bigotry. Our Finnish identity, which lives inside all of us, can manifest itself in many ways that deviate from the narrow definition. 

 

 

A letter to the Non-Discrimination Ombudsperson Kirsi Pimiä

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Dear Kirsi,

I have written to PM Juha Sipilä twice concerning his ‘reluctance’ to publicly acknowledge racial discrimination in Finland (FRA EU MIDIS-II 2017 12.12.2017 meeting in Helsinki).

Cultural diversity is a highly emotive subject especially when one becomes a victim of racially motivated hatred and intentional discrimination.

Go to original posting here.

You have acknowledged the results of the EU MIDIS-II report – together with Deputy State Prosecutor [Raija Toiviainen]– and I thank you and others for speaking out on this politically sensitive issue. I believe that you deserve the backing and support of an administration that has thus far shown only weakness and ineptitude in challenging racism and discrimination. Denial of racism in Finland – such as the 2015 Nordic Media press conference showed – is no longer acceptable.

In my opinion, leadership should come from the PM, and I have invited PM Juha Sipilä to engage with his critics and take action to eradicate discrimination and other social ills that affect Finnish society.

The FRA EU MIDIS-II 2017 report – together with insight from [FRA Director] Prof M O’Flaherty – confirms that the Finnish government can no longer deny that there ISN’T a problem. It is also evident that this issue – if permitted to persist – will lead to dissent and hatred (possibly radicalization) within Finland.

For perhaps too many new Finnish citizens in Finland are relegated to live as second-class citizens with third-rate representation.

I have personal experience of racist treatment and discrimination against myself and my family, including my daughter, who was bullied by a racist school teacher. The same school teachers also attempted to destroy our family with harmful false allegations. My Finnish wife was in total disbelief that this happened in her country. The resulting fallout ended in one teacher’s suspension from the school and the others getting yelled at (we were told unofficially).

Continue reading “A letter to the Non-Discrimination Ombudsperson Kirsi Pimiä”

Another Christian asylum seeker faces deportation from Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Migrant Tales received a phone call today about a young nineteen-year-old Iraqi asylum seeker who was apprehended by the police in Tampere and locked up in a cell awaiting possible deportation. The police offered him two options: Either return to Iraq “voluntarily” or by force. He refused to sign either document.

The Iraqi asylum seeker, who has only two rejections for asylum, is still waiting for a decision by the supreme administrative court.

                                   Another familiar view from a police cell, another sad case of an asylum seeker possibly facing deportation in Finland.

“This is what we are all wondering about,” said a friend, who has a power of attorney to represent the asylum seeker. “How can they deport him if the supreme [administrative] court hasn’t passed sentence on his second rejection?”

Like so many asylum seekers that are facing deportation to “safe” Iraq, he too has experienced near-constant uncertainty for about two years, when he came to Finland as a minor.

“He is a good person who cares for others and he does a lot of voluntary work for the church,” said his friend. “He has converted to Christianity and is really scared about what will happen to him if he’s sent forcibly back to Iraq. He wants to stay in Finland and be a part of this society.”

Migrant Tales will follow this story and we hope that his fate will be similar to another young Iraqi asylum seeker who was detained for 32 days in Lappeenranta but was freed on November 23.

If you want to send the asylum seeker words of encouragement or want to wish him well, send your messages through [email protected] (not the asylum seeker’s email).

Why doesn’t Prime Minister Juha Sipilä respond and show leadership?

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Dear PM Sipilä,

I am resending and reminding you of my communication on an issue that has not gone away and which – in my opinion – you have yet to acknowledge.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government, accused of fueling social inequality, is notorious for its lame stance on racism and discrimination. Source: Eduskunta.

In my opinion, you are, as Finland’s PM, obligated to respond and show leadership on the FRA (EU Minorities & Discrimination survey) expert panel findings, presented in Helsinki 12.12.2017.

I hope that you will respond in a manner that befits the office you have been bestowed.

Respectfully*

 

* Name not published by request.

 

See also:

 

The city of Kaajani, Finland, should do more to make migrants feel safe and welcome

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Kaajani is a city of 37,304 people located 560 kilometers north of Helsinki. An African resident whom Migrant Tales spoke to said that she doesn’t feel safe walking alone at certain times of the day in Kajaani. 

“Kajaani is not only a boring city, but it’s not friendly to foreigners,” she said. “Nobody has attacked me, but it’s the looks I get that make me feel unwelcome. When I get a chance, I’d like to move to Vantaa, Espoo or Helsinki because there are more foreigners there.”

You don’t too much about Kajaani. IN 2013, Migrant Tales reported an attack against a black man by a foreigner.

“The mean looks usually come from older people but young people, women, and men, make me feel uncomfortable when they stare or look at you,” she continued. “It’s hard to describe the looks they give. They aren’t friendly.”

The African resident said that all of the migrants she spoke to mention the same thing that Kajaani isn’t a friendly place for foreigners.

Taking into account the #metoo campaign that has empowered women to call out men who sexually harass them, it is surprising that there isn’t a similar campaign against racist harassment.

Politicians and city officials in Kaajani should do much more to help migrants and minorities feel safe in the city.

 

Zalina Ametova: Women in Academic Careers

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Zaline Ametova*

Discrimination against women who are advancing their career is a breaking down the rule of equality. Men and women are created equal. All the rights, treatment and opportunity that a man has should also be even to women who are pursuing careers of any sort. It will be called unfair, biased and not just when it comes to women.

People should know that women are not just simple creatures that needed men. Women are also born to be great and competitive. Whatever the gender, either male or female, working for an academic career should not be questioned especially when a woman is on the way of establishing a foundation of her career.

Also, opportunities for females should not be limited by individuals and institutions. Policies should be implemented regarding with the proper treatment of women in every academic career they are with. Women are fully aware how powerful a man is, but, they can all do the same.

There is no particular difference. Only in gender but why is it that academic institutions limit this capacity of women? Not because women impregnate means that they are not any more capable of the job. Come to think of it.

Academic Institutions should not implement this type of criticisms for women. A policy should be implemented to fight this irrational behavior of injustice upon women. Women are born to be fighters and machines. They have minds and hearts that run the same with a man. Not just look for the superficial qualities that they have for you will find it literally different and quite assuming. Few are now leaving in a world that is not only dominated by men but also by women.

A variety of women of big names in the society is now breaking the rules of men over women. They are some of the inspiring names in the industry that breaks the rule of men domination. We are in the evolution of equality. Men and women should be seen like that.

Furthermore, the academic profession should work the same treatment of opportunities for the females. Most of the women will see this as a type of insult to their capacity to do the job. Academic Institutions should be aware of the issues and make certain moves to resolve the rise of women’s concern as to the academic career that you guys are trying to snatch away from them.

It is an opportunity that needs to be freely given to everyone. Male and female. No even distribution and no discrimination. Regardless of what and who you are, advancement in an academic career path should be grabbed by enthusiasts and optimism.

Moreover, numerous policies should be implemented to ensure that women are not treated lowly and unfairly. This is the best way to protect women from the tyrannical slavery of individuals and institutions who prefer men over women in any of the academic careers. All people are created equal regardless of the gender.

* Zaline Ametova, whose has requested changing her real name because she fears her employment prospects could worsen, is an educator and an author based in Helsinki. With a background in technology, she is featured as a sci-fi novelist who began writing at a very young age. In 2010, she joined an activist group and, since then, has spoken out for the weak. With a high sense of social justice, she also has a passion for writing about social issues.