Reija Härkönen: Finland has a deeply racist government

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Prime Minister Petteri Orpo assures that his government does not tolerate racism

I’m writing this in English because I want the international audience and media to know a little more about the state Finland is in. I’m hoping, that international awareness will help the fight against racism in our country. The second most important minister in the government, Minister of Finance Riikka Purra says that there is no racism. There are only rumors and scandal stories made up by the people  and the media. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo says, that enough has been said and the discussion must end.

And yet: the Finnish government is a racist government formed by racist parties.

In a small country with only 5,7 million inhabitants, the media is also small and totally dependent on their advertisers and owners, the large companies. The companies are the financial supporters of rightwing politicians, also the far right. The main parties on this side are kokoomus, “the Coalition Party” and Perussuomalaiset, “The Finns Party” or “the Basic Finns”. In this situation it’s difficult, if not impossible, for the media to write, repeatedly or at all, honestly and truthfully about racism in Finnish politics and about the racism of the Finnish government and parliament.

Many private people are reluctant to stand up against racists, too. They are afraid of cyberbullying, of violence and even of losing their jobs or finding themselves in a suspicious position in the eyes of their bosses. That’s why racism is still discussed thoroughly and rigorously in private internet groups. That helps to ease the worried citizens, but it has little effect on the worsening situation.

I wrote a summary about the Finnish government’s racism. I will translate its main content here, adding some explanations.

The latest racism spree by Petteri Orpo’s government took a new geographical direction. Previously, public, blatant racism has been targeted at the Middle East and Africa. As “the Asian eyes” scandal spread, Orpo sent via the media an urgent message from Brussels to the Finns Party: ”This discussion must be stopped in Parliament today and it should be made clear that Finland does not accept any kind of racism and regrets what happened.”

The Prime Minister was concerned about Finland’s reputation in Asian countries. Not about the racism that is rampant in Finland – and has been for years, with added volume during this government.

After returning home, Orpo deeply apologized to the embassies of Asian countries. However, the apology was deeply false. It began: ”I deeply apologize for the recent offensive social media posts by individual members of parliament…” and the last, third paragraph begins ”The chairmen of the parliamentary groups of the governing parties have discussed the actions of individual members of parliament.”

Mr. Orpo is trying hard to propagate that just some individual MPs acted in a racist manner. That is a clear lie.

Continue reading “Reija Härkönen: Finland has a deeply racist government”

Citizenhip test made by xenophobes set on blunting your rights

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Even if the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo claims no racism or exclusion of migrants in Finland, the opposite is true. Finland has become an unfriendly , even hostile, country for migrants.

If there is one law that shows such disdain it is the new citizenship test that will come into force in the beginning of 2027.

In a council of state statement, anti-immigration Perussuomaliset (PS)* Interior Minister Mari Rantanen argues in favor of tightening migration laws and the citizenship test.

The government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo turns a blind eye towards the racist policies and politics of the PS. Exaggerating youth crime, media like MTV see the tightening of integrtion laws in a violent light. Migrant Tales.

“We have already tightened the conditions for Finnish citizenship, including the required length of residence, income and integrity,” she said. “By introducing a citizenship test, we will further strengthen the principle that acquiring citizenship calls for successful integration into Finnish society and an understanding of its values.”

While it is important that new citizens understand their rights and how society’s institutions work, Rantanen’s citizenship shows suspicion, whitewashing and hypocrisy. Even if it points out that it is important to know gender and non-discrimination facts, it does nothing to expose the lies of the government on this front.

One clear case exposing hypocrisy is for the candidate to be knowledgeable of basic civil rights and human rights, which Rantanen and the government have watered down. Even if exam tests the candidates knowledge of gender and sexual minority rights, among others, it does not confront the racism in Finnish society towards minorities like Muslims spread by Rantanen’s party.

One of the most eceptionalist parts of the proposed test, in my opinion, is on custom and values.

Even if the candidate must know what are white Finnish customs and values are, there is nothing about how Finland is becoming ever-diverse. Does Rantanen falsely believe that people will eventually throw away their cultural habits and become white?

Does the test say anything about the government defending minority rights like Ramadan?

The new citizenship test and the tightening of citizenship law will further erode Finland’s and the present Finnish government’s credibility.

How can we believe in a government that is discriminating and oppressing minority rights now with citizenship tests that are a reflection of its racism and prejudice?

Living in a time of monsters

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The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.
Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937)

The quote by the Italian Marxist philosopher, writer and linguist, sheds light on the troubled times we are living in. We can witnes the wrecking ball in the United States, Gaza, and in many troubled regions of the world.

Trump’s National Security Strategy (NSS), which warns Europe of “white civilization erasure” and throws its support to far-right parties, is the best example of how the US is spreading its imperialist intentions.

Even if Finland’s far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party is silent but supports in principle the NSS, the recent racism slanted-eye scandal involving two MPs and an MEP, tells us that racism is the anti-immigration party’s DNA.

An interesting question we can ask is why this particuar racism scandal, which insulted Asians got so much attention? The party normally attacks Muslims and other racialized minorities without any major consequences.

Is it because Asians are considered closer to “white” Finns than say Arabs?

Below, is a shameful picture of the PS politicians who said they “didn’t mean to insult anyone.”

From left to right: Juho Eerola, Kaisa Garedew ja Euroopan parlamentin jäsen Sebastian Tynkkynen. Photo: Facebook.

At a recent parliamentary session Thursday, Finance Minister and PS chairperson Riikka Purra gave a surreal answer when grilled by opposition politicians abour the scandal.

Continue reading “Living in a time of monsters”

Himmler and Mannerheim: A picture we can all be proud off and sweep it under the rug as “history”

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This picture below on the wall of the Mikkelin Klubi. located 230km north of the capital Helsinki, was one of the main reaons why I quit my membership. Everytime I inquired about the infamous picture of Heinrich Himmler with Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, I’d get a knee-jerk response: “it’s history (so it’s ok).”

Even if this may be the case, the picture is displayed without any context like why are Himmler and Mannerheim toasting together and what was the country’ relationship with what Nazi Germany? What about complicity in the “Final Solution,” the genocide committed against the Jews, Roma and other enemies of the Nazi regime?

Himmler is not the only war criminal on the wall of the club. You will also find Alfred Jodl, found guilty on all four counts (conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity) and sentenced to death. In my opinion, the pictures on the wall of the club display history but it is done without context, which makes it problematic. If you wish, you can pay tribute to the sinister alliance between Finland and Germany and be a closet Nazi if you wish.

The text above reads: “Heinrichs, Airo, Himmler, Marshall, Ehrfurt (sic), Nenonen, Lundqvist and a German visitor at the Mikkeli Club in fall 1942.” In 1942, Operation Reinhard, which aimed to liquidate Polish Jewry, was in full swing.

Treblinka was one of the many extermination camps of Operation Reinhard, the deadliest phase of Nazi Germany’s intention to commit genocide against the Jewish people.

Those pictures and our justification for joining the Nazi cause in World War 2, could explain why Finland is incapable of tackling its growing racism problem. Hannah Arendt famously called it the banality of evil.

With slanted eyes MP Juho Eerola apologizes to Asians

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The person below is none other than Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Juho Eerola, who infamously said that he liked Italian fascist Benito Mussolini’s economic system because there was full employment. His list of racist rants have accompanied him through his political career. In the latest scandal (see picture below), he apologizes to Asians.

Apart from bein an MP, he used to be speaker of parliament and today chairs the legal committee. He’s even made a video where he is being shoved a dildo up his rectum.

Eerola regrets that his image has been interpreted as racist. Interpreted as racist?! It WAS and IS racist.

“In this context, I would like to say to all people of Asian descent that I apologize if this is how it came across,” he was quoted as saying in Yle. “It was by no means my intention to offend them.”

Juho Eerola didn’t mean to be racist with the picture. He is a good example of the far-right’s aim at destroying the crediblity of Finland’s institutions. Disagree? See what Donald Trump is doing n the US. Yle.

What is surprising is the reaction of the National Coalition Party like MP Pia Kauma, who has had her share of issues with racism, considered the action of MPs like Eerola as “childish and inappropriate.”

“Social media posts are childish and inappropriate,” she said in Ilta-Sanomat. “Members of Parliament are expected to behave in a dignified and respectful manner. Fooling around on social media at the expense of racism certainly does not meet these standards.”

MPs of Finland’s government send Asians a racist welcome

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Finland has received a lot of migration from Asia and therefore, the recent racist outburst by MPs of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, a member of government, could serve as a welcome ad for Asian migrants. The ad could read: Migrate to Finland. There is no racism and you’ll be treated with respect.

Sarah Dzafce lost her Miss Finland title when she was posted with a racist picture below, stating that she is eating with

Sarah Dzafce eating with a Cheinese person.

Even if the Miss Finland organizers did the right thing, MPs from the PS below started to copy Dzafce’s racist gesture.

From left to right: Juho Eerola, Kaisa Gredew ja Euroopan parlamentin jäsen Sebastian Tynkkynen. Photo: Facebook.

Also, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo welcomed Asians with his usual defeaning silence.

Rasistinen häirintä muuttaa illanvieton painajaiseksi Otavan (lähellä Mikkeliä) baarissa

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Lauantai-ilta Otavan ainoassa baarissa, noin 14 kilometrin päässä Mikkelistä, sai pelottavan käänteen kahdelle miehelle, jotka kertovat joutuneensa rasististen solvausten ja uhkausten kohteiksi pian kello kymmenen jälkeen.

“Mukavaksi tarkoitetusta illasta tuli vaarallinen tilanne,” sanoi toinen miehistä, joka pyysi saada pysyä nimettömänä traumansa ja jatkuvan turvallisuushuolensa vuoksi.

Hänen mukaansa kaksikko istui pöydässä nauttimassa livemusiikista, kun kaksi näkyvästi päihtynyttä miestä lähestyi ja yritti provosoida tappelun.

“Toinen miehistä löi aasialaista ystävääni päähän kulkiessaan ohi ja alkoi sen jälkeen uhkailla häntä käyttäen toistuvasti n-sanaa,” hän kertoi.

Välttääkseen ongelmia miehet siirtyivät toiseen pöytään, mutta häirintä jatkui. Miesten väitetään toistaneen rotusolvausta ja esittäneen toisen halventavan kommentin uhreille.

Järjestyksenvalvojat saapuivat paikalle ja poliisi kutsuttiin. Rasistinen häirintä jatkui ennen kuin hyökkääjät poistuivat baarista ja odottivat tietojen mukaan miehiä ulkopuolella.

“Päätimme lähteä ennen poliisin saapumista. Halusimme vain päästä takaisin Mikkeliin,” toinen miehistä sanoi.

Kaksikon mukaan tapaus sai heidät tuntemaan olonsa epävarmaksi pienempien paikkakuntien yöelämässä.

“Olin shokissa noin viikon,” toinen heistä sanoi. “Tämä on ensimmäinen kerta, kun jotain tällaista on tapahtunut minulle Suomessa.”

Mitä sinun kannattaa tehdä, jos joudut rasistisen häirinnän uhriksi?

  • Varmista ensiksi, ettet ole vaarassa.
  • Soita poliisille numeroon 112.
  • Ota puhelin esiin ja tallenna hyökkääjä. Tallennetta voidaan käyttää todisteena.
  • Jos henkilö hyökkää kimppuusi ja voit osoittaa sen johtuvan taustastasi, se voi täyttää viharikoksen tunnusmerkistön.
  • Tapauksen vakavuudesta riippuen poliisilta voi kestää kuukausia ennen kuin syytteet nostetaan.
  • Yksi pahimmista asioista on usein sivullisten hiljaisuus. Alla on yksi tapaus, josta voi olla apua.

Racist harassment turns night out into ordeal at Otava (near Mikkeli) bar

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A Saturday night at Otava’s only bar about 14 kilometers from Mikkeli, took a frightening turn for two men who say they were targeted with racist insults and threats shortly after 10 p.m.

“What was supposed to be an enjoyable evening turned into a dangerous situation,” said one of the persons, who requested anonymity due to trauma and ongoing concerns for his safety.

According to his account, the pair were seated at a table in the bar, enjoying live music, when two visibly intoxicated men approached and attempted to provoke a fight.

“One of the men struck my Asian friend on the head as he walked past, and then began threatening him while repeatedly using the n-word,” he said.

Trying to avoid any problems, the two men moved to another table, but the harassment continued. The men allegedly repeated the racial slur and directed another derogatory comment toward the victims.

Security personnel arrived, and the police were called. The racist harassment continued before the aggressors left the premises and were reportedly waiting outside for both men.

“We decided to leave before the police arrived. We just wanted to get back to Mikkeli,” one of the men said.

Continue reading “Racist harassment turns night out into ordeal at Otava (near Mikkeli) bar”

Itsenäisyyspäivän sateisena iltana

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Itsenäisyyspäivän sateisena iltana kuljin Töölöntorin ohitse klo. 17.30 jota jossa seiseoi muutama tusina 612 mielenosoittajaa satojen poliisien ja poliisiautojen ympäröimänä. Uutuutena tänä vuona myös Rajavartiolaitoksen ja Puolutusvoimien henkilöstöä ja kalustoa.

Kuva: Ahti Tolvanen


Trumppilainen “sisäinen maanpuolustus” myös rajojen sisällä omia kansalaisia vastaan jotka uskaltautuvat olemaan eri mieltä maan viranomaisten ja politiikkojen kanssa, oli saapunut Suomeen.
Tänävuonna kuten parina edeltävänäkin viranomaisten päätarkoitus näytti olevan rasistien ja natsien ja heidän kanssakulkevien suojaaminen kansalaisilta jotka vastustivat rasismia ja natseja. Tämä viranomaispolitiikka on jotenkin juurtunut Itssenäisyyspäivän mielenosoitusiin ja ristiriita sen kanssa mitä Suomi oli sopinut Pariisin rauhansopimuksessa jolla palautettiin maan valtiolliset oikeudet v. 1946 tuntuu vaan syvenevän. EU:n hiljattain julkaistu tutkimus rasistisen vihapuheen hillitsemättömyydestä Suomen mediassa osoitti myös saman kehityksen jatkuvan. Linnassa hilpeä juhliminen jatkui ja maan “hyvät ihmiset” tuntuivat olevan täysin välinpitämättömiä tästä pimeyden laskeutumisesta maan päälle.