Tag: Finland

The Finnish government’s new citizenship law is a house of mirrors

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Plans to tighten the citizenship law expose a remarkable case of historic amnesia of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government. Did you know that Finland denied women, whom they proudly claim were the first to get suffrage rights in Europe, the right to give citizenship to their children? It was only the man who had such a right and privilege.

In 1984, about 66 years after independence, women were finally granted the right to give citizenship to their children under jus sanguinis.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.

It took about 66 years to change the law and still, 40 years later, there is no apology that upended many people’s lives. Instead, the government wants to make citizenship more difficult.

You may ask how the old law that did not allow women to pass on citizenship to their children, changed such people’s lives. The Finnish state should offer an apology for such an exclusive law.

Continue reading “The Finnish government’s new citizenship law is a house of mirrors”

MP Heikki Vestman is one of the main anti-immigration ideologues of the National Coalition Party of Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

National Coalition Party (NCP) MP and chairperson of the constitutional committee, Heikki Vestman, is making a name for himself by promoting xenophobia. In a previous post, Migrant Tales published how Vestman was using Islamophobia and bullying tactics to gain attention and power.

His rhetoric has turned him into one of the main anti-immigration ideologues of the NCP. He is in the same shameless league as his NCP partner, Atte Kaleva.

MP Heikki Vestman is one of the leading anti-immigration ideologues of the NCP. Read the full story here.

Vestman, who also chaired the immigration committee in the government’s program negotiations, washes his hand by stating that the tightening of immigration policy is to bring our laws in line with other Nordic countries.

That assertion is debatable. Migration Institute researcher Erna Bodström compares the changes to East Europe rather than other Nordic countries.

In his usual anti-immigration style, where Vestman sees himself as a savior of our Nordic way of life, he believes that the tightening of the citizenship act will help “integrate” people.

“The citizenship act encourages people to settle in Finland, learn the language, acquire basic knowledge of society measured by a citizenship test, follow the rules of the country, and work for their livelihood.”

Continue reading “MP Heikki Vestman is one of the main anti-immigration ideologues of the National Coalition Party of Finland”

The pushback law of the Finnish government will fail and be a farce

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A question to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo: Is the main motivation of the pushback law to strengthen the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* policy of zero asylum seekers? Why are asylum seekers coming from Russia such a threat to Finland’s internal security?

The fact that a total of 1,271 asylum seekers have come to the country via the eastern border from August 2023 to January 2024, raises some questions that the media skips. Knowing the PS’ and Ntional. Coalition Party’s negative attitude towards Muslims and other non-European asylum seekers, is the main reason to keep asylum seekers from Muslm-majority countries from coming here?

The last thing that the new law will do is solve Finland’s asylum issues at the Finnish-Russian border. Source: Yle

The grand majority (80.88%) of asylum seekers at the Finnish-Russian border come from Muslim-majority countries. During August 2023-January 29, 2024, of the total 1,271 asylum seekers, 1,028 (80.88%) were Syrian (491 people), Somalian (360), Yemeni (120), and Iraqi (57) nationals, according to Yle News.

Did over 32,000 asylum seekers in 2015, mainly from Iraq and Afghanistan, pose a threat to internal security? What about the tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have come to Finland?

Another factor that is a blow to Rantanen’s pushback law is her credibility and her long political career of posting racist comments about asylum seekers.

For the above reasons, the government’s pushback law is a farce that will do more harm than good.

Does Rantanen believe that a law will stop people from crossing the border?

That is wishful thinking and just another example of what such borders do in the EU: they bring suffering and death.

Facebook (Timo Vornanen, the Finnish MP who shot his gun in public): Oops!

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Finland lives in collective amnesia about its ultranationalistic, xenophobic disposition. The post earlier this month shows Vornanen’s loathing of the Greens and of migrants.

Rosa Meriläinen is a Green politician and writer.

For obvious reasons, the former policeman is on sick leave for two weeks.

The shooting incident not only exposes the lies of the government program, “a strong and committed Finland,” it exposes its outright lies.

Is this the Finland I want to live in?

No, thanks, I’ll pass.

“All kinds of candidates for the European[parliamentary] elections. This comes from the GREENS.
For Rosa’s information, climate change will not be stopped by standing up to the police and breaking the law. I understand that you think breaking the law is “all OK and fun;” as long as it is not directed at your own people.
Or do you Rosa think that the world will be a better place if someone gives you a good beating?
The only effect such an act would have is to overwork the police and the courts; they would have just one more case to deal with and this would make you feel bad. Breaking the law will not have any effect on climate change.
Breaking the law will not save the world.
I think your actions as a parent are very irresponsible.
And as far as the immigration that Rosa mentioned is concerned, we do not need any more foreign “specialists” living on social benefits and other income transfers here in Europe and Finland.
We simply cannot afford it.
A skilled workforce that comes here to work and pay their taxes is welcome.”

Like a toxic addiction, Finland’s Interior Minister Rantanen cannot kick the habit of her conspiracy theories

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The “great replacement” theory, in simple terms, states that welcoming immigration policies —
particularly those impacting non-white immigrants — are part of a plot designed to undermine or
“replace” the political power and culture of white people living in Western countries.

National Immigration Forum

One long-range plan of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party has had is to keep out all asylum seekers from coming to Finland. PS Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho has spoken about such a goal for eons and only on Wednesday in A-studio, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen revealed that she’s still a staunch believer of the great replacement theory.

Mnister Mari Rantanen and Maria Ohisalo. Source: Yle

Debating with former Green League Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo (2019-2021), Rantanen explained why Europe must copy Britain’s Rwanda Plan. The PS and the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo back such a solution.

A-studio host Rosa Kettumäki was not up to par. She labelled asylum seekers “illegal migrants.” Whenever journalists refer to asylum seekers in such a lowly manner, they become a rubber stamp of the xenophobes. Photo: Yle.

Rantanen showed her dark colors on A-studio on why we must keep Muslims and other non-whites out:

“…it also impacts European culture, lifestyle, security, and so many other things,” said Rantanen. “I think the winds are changing in Europe, and we are now looking for other things than just opportunities to push as many as people as possible from foreign countries into Europe.”

Ohisalo, a former interior minister, reminded Rantanen that her comment was based on the great replacement theory. Rantnan was notably upset by Ohisalo’s observation.

Continue reading “Like a toxic addiction, Finland’s Interior Minister Rantanen cannot kick the habit of her conspiracy theories”

PS MP and policeman suspected of aggravated assault and firing a gun in Helsinki

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A Perussuomalaset (PS)* MPS “was involved in an incident in Helsinki Friday night”, reports Helsingin Sanomat. PS MP Timo Vornanen is suspected of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm, according to Seiska.

Vornanen was partying with some PS MPs who have not been named except for MP Sanna Attikainen.

Vornanen is a former policeman.

The news comes at a very bad time for the PS. One of the arguments that the party has been internal security, which is a pretext to tighten immigration policy is security. The party isn’t very convincing if one of its MPs goes on the rampage in the city center of Helsinki. Finland just suffered a shooting three weeks ago at a Vantaa school when a twelve-year-old killed one of his classmates and injured two.

The PS justifies their harsh migration policy on national security. What happens when a PS MP goes on the rampage in Helsinki and first shots? Read the full story (in Finnish) here.

A nail in the coffin of the Finnish government’s anti-racism statement. Surprised? Not.

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Justice Minister Leena Meri’s decision to disband a ministerial committee on racism, hate crime, and hate speech exposed and killed the government’s anti-racism statement for what it was: a piece of paper. It’s clear that the government wasn’t and isn’t serious about doing anything to tackle the social ll.

The elephant in the room is the PS, which has built its political success on xenophobia, would never take steps to shot itself in the leg. Villifying migrants, especially non-EU citizens and Muslims, is an integral part of the PS’ DNA.

Reaction has been swift. Alluding to what has happened in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Judge association Tuomariliitto considered Meri’s actions as “deeply concerning the development of the rule of law [in Finland].” An Helsingin Sanomat editorial also raised concern about Meri’s actions and that we should not take the rule of law lightly.

Some of these important recommendations made by the European Commission include:

  • Grant the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman the right to take up discriminatory cases in employment;
  • The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman would have the right to take such cases to the courts;
  • Increase the capacity of the ombudsman’s staff;
  • Empower the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal to deal with complaints concerning discrimination in employment;
  • Collection of hate crime and hate speech data;
  • Data would include a system that would be collected on ethnic, religious, gender, and citizenship origin;
  • Offer more training to public staff;
  • Establish a body that will look at police discrimination, racism, and misconduct.

Meri’s action is only one example of how radical right parties throughout Europe like the PS are undermining the rule of law to suit their populist anti-immigration policies and worldview.

It is a good matter that there has been a reaction in Finland, but is it enough if Prime Minister Petteri Orpo acts as if nothing is happening?

The government does not have a credible anti-racism plan because it doesn’t want to

Posted on by Migrant Tales

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 tabloid Iltalehti.

Some see Minister Meri’s, the PS’ and the government’s anti-racism plan as the three monkeys above.

Minister Meri is another PS politician that is multiculturally challenged and who believes in conspiracy theories like the great replacement. Source: Iltalehti

One of the biggest differences between the present government and the European Commission is on present ethnic agitation laws. The PS’ Criminal Policy Program 2022 is a clear example and states that the penal code concerning ethnic agitation must be changed to ensure free speech and the possibility to criticize Islam.

Tweet: “Shall we talk about immigration? Parliament is currently debating a major package that would significantly tighten immigration policy. And what’s more, this is just the beginning.

Finland is gradually moving towards a tighter policy which is the new normal.

Hopefully, it is not moving too slowly and isn’t too late.”

Reading the most recent xenophobic tweet by the head of the PS, Riikka Purra, it’s clear that the government will do everything possible to not reform the penal code and grant migrants and minorities better legal protection against racism and discrimination.

Some of these important recommendations made by the European Commission include:

  • Grant the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman the right to take up discriminatory cases in employment;
  • The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman would have the right to take such cases to the courts;
  • Increase the capacity of the ombudsman’s staff;
  • Empower the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal to deal with complaints concerning discrimination in employment;
  • Collection of hate crime and hate speech data;
  • Data would include a system that would be collected on ethnic, religious, gender, and citizenship origin;
  • Offer more training to public staff;
  • Establish a body that will look at police discrimination, racism, and misconduct.

Minister Wille Rydman and the Finnish government laugh at the vulnerable

Posted on by Migrant Tales

If there is one matter that describes PM Petteri Orpo’s government to the tee, it is it cruelty to the most vulnerable sectors of society and migrants. The personification of antipathy and hostility is none other than Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman, a former member of the National Coalition Party who became after a scandal a member of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party.

I chatted briefly with Rydman about his letter to the editor in 2010, which he said was an “article (sic),” and claimed that migrants should throw away their culture and just concentrate on learning the Finnish language.

Reading and following Rydman during these past fourteen years, I can only come to one conclusion: An opportunist that is racially challenged who despises, in the far-right fashion, the media.

A recent quote in A-studio suffices to demonstrate his hatred of Muslims and other visible minorities. The following two statements by him below prove what he is, and the government are made of.

He rejoices in the suffering of others

“This government is cutting development aid by a total of 1.2 billion euros. This is the kind of decision that no other government [of Finland] has ever done but the Perussuomalaiset* has been able to do.”

“The reception allowance will be reduced, residence permits for refugees will be shortened and tightened, asylum applications will be processed at the border, access to citizenship will be made more difficult, and circumvention of entry rules will be prevented.

Continue reading “Minister Wille Rydman and the Finnish government laugh at the vulnerable”

A letter to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen of the Perussuomalaiset party*,

Since the Finnish media won’t ask you critical questions about the tightening of migration policy, I’d like to ask you why are you tightening the screws. Finland needs migrants and, as you know, we are up sh*t creek due to the graying of our population and its cost.

Interioir Minister Mari Rantanen.

Many parts of your migration policy show the worst of Finland. Take for instance changes in the naturalization law, where you are requiring people to live in Finland eight years from the five required now. What about human rights? Aren’t you planning to undermine such a right in the new refoulement law?

I moved to Finland in December 1978. As many children of Finnish parents, I spent my summers with my grandparents. I am grateful for those summers and the opportunity I had to experience the magical summers of Finland.

Compared with the smog and heat of Los Angeles, nothing could compare with those summers.

During that time, I grew up believing that I was a Finn and my plan was to move to this country after completing my university. I even went to the Finnish army about doing my conscription.

One day, however, after returning to live in Finland, I wondered why I had to apply for residence permits periodically. I asked the lady at the aliens’ office, yes, that was what it was called back then, why I had to apply for a residence permit periodically if I was a Finn.

Continue reading “A letter to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen”