A tweet, which alleges Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jani Mäkelä, stating that “without SS troops, Finlan would have lost the Continuation War (1941-44), is from a fake account. If this is true, we apologize for the mix-up.
I wrote a comment to PS MP Mäkelä below after he asked me to “Stop spreading fake news and remove this post and related web article, before I need to take further action!”
Do you believe that PS MP Mäkelä will answer my question?
I’m not holding my breath.
What Mäkelä thinks about the SS and its role in the Continuation War (1941-44) would be of interest, considering that the PS is a far-right radical right party that has links with neo-Nazi and fascist groups like Suomen Sisu.
One of PS MP Mäkelä’s campaign platform was, like all of the candidates who got elected, anti-immigration. The tweet below and his reaction to it show what he thinks about Muslims and cultural diversity in Finland.
If it were for him, minorities like Muslims would be at the total mercy of the PS’ hostile Islamophobia.
Mäkelä did not like at all Police Chief Inspector Jari Taponen’s tweet: “Even in Islandic politics hate speech has become more common. The rhetoric follows the same European formula, where the targets of this rhetoric are arriving East European migrants and Muslims. Politicians insist on their hate speech banning Sharia Law, banning mosques and banning the Burka, among others.”
Irrespective of the fake tweet, we all know that the PS is an Islamophobic, xenophobic, homophobic, and far-right radical right party. We should not be surprised that their anti-immigration populist rhetoric has fueled the hostile environment most likely fueled hate speech against Finland’s small Jewish community.
Migrant Talesreported in 2017 how the Jewish community of Helsinki felt threatened by rising hate speech.
“I will not say that it is only the extreme right that is directing this [online] hate speech against the Jewish community,” said Yaron Nadbornik, the president of the Jewish Community of Helsinki. ”Let’s just say that they are people from different ideologies that write online thousands of hate comments against Jews.”
All those who defend the SS role in Finland are blind to the atrocities committed and such group’s complicity in the extermination of the Jews.
We have heard of the SS death squads, the Einsatzgruppen, who are responsible for murdering three million Jews.
If there is a good example of why anti-Semitism has flourished in Finland like other forms of racism, it is Mäkelä’s tweet above.
* The far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.
Brussels, 12 September 2019 – Institutional racism prevails in criminal justice systems across the EU and impacts how racist crimes are (not) recorded, investigated and prosecuted, according to a new report published by ENAR today.
“Twenty years after the Macpherson Report revealed that the
British police was institutionally racist, we now find that criminal
justice systems across the European Union fail to protect victims of
racist crimes – this despite the increase in violent racially motivated
crimes”, said Karen Taylor, Chair of the European Network Against Racism.
ENAR’s report, covering 24 EU Member States, provides data on racist
crimes between 2014 and 2018, and documents institutional practice
during the recording, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes with a
racial bias. It reveals how subtle forms of racism persistently appear
in the criminal justice system from the moment a victim reports a
racially motivated crime to the police, through to investigation and
prosecution. This leads to a ‘justice gap’: a significant number of hate
crime cases end up being dropped as a hate crime.
Data over the period 2014-2018 suggest that racially motivated crimes are on the rise in many EU Member States. In addition, major events such as terrorist acts – and the political rhetoric and responses to these attacks – can cause spikes in the numbers of recorded racist crimes.
The shadow reported one case of Finland on page 39.
Most EU Member States have hate crime laws, as well as policies and
guidance in place to respond to racist crime, but they are not enforced
because of a context of deeply rooted institutional racism within law
enforcement authorities.
The mishandling of racially motivated crimes by the authorities, and
in particular the police, starts with the recording of racist crimes.
Evidence suggests that the police do not take reports of racist crime
seriously or they do not believe victims of such crimes. This practice
appears to be especially true if certain groups, such as Roma and black
people, report these crimes. Racial stereotyping is pervasive in
policing at all levels.
In addition, the lack of institutional response and negative
experiences of victims with the police mean that civil society
organisations have to fill in the gap to ensure racially motivated
crimes are properly recorded.
The racial bias can ‘disappear’ in the course of the police recording
and investigating the crime. The police find it more straightforward to
investigate crimes, such as violation of public order or crimes against
property, than uncovering the evidence of the bias motivation.
There are also several factors that hinder the successful prosecution
and sentencing of a hate crime with a racial bias, including lack of
clear definitions of hate crimes with a racial bias; lack of training
and limited capacity; and under-use of the aggravated ‘hate’ clause.
“We need a significant change within the criminal justice system,
if racial justice is to prevail for victims of racist crime in Europe.
Governments and institutions can better respond to hate crimes if they
commit to review the practice, policies and procedures that disadvantage
certain groups,” said Karen Taylor. “People’s safety is at stake and justice must be served – for all members of society.”
1. ENAR’s 2014-18 Shadow Report on racist crime and institutional
racism is based on data and information from 24 EU Member States:
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
2. The report and key findings are available here: https://www.enar-eu.org/Shadow-Reports-on-racism-in-Europe.
The report also includes case studies and testimonies highlighting the
experiences of victims of racially motivated crime, the lack of
protection and failure of measures for justice for these victims.
3. The Macpherson Report, ordered by the British government and
published in 1999, is the report of a public inquiry into the racist
murder of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager, and the ensuing police
investigation. It concluded that the Metropolitan Police was
“institutionally racist” and made 70 recommendations for reform,
covering both policing and criminal law.
4. The European Network Against Racism (ENAR aisbl) stands against
racism and discrimination and advocates equality and solidarity for all
in Europe. We connect local and national anti-racist NGOs throughout
Europe and voice the concerns of ethnic and religious minorities in
European and national policy debates.
Selected case studies:
Lenient sentence for murderer of Nigerian refugee (Italy)
The main perpetrator of the racially motivated murder of a Nigerian man,
affiliated with a far-right group, was arrested on charges of
manslaughter, aggravated by racist motives. However, his lawyer,
together with part of the local and national media, pleaded legitimate
defence. The man later received a reduced sentence of four years in
house arrest.
Police fails victim of racist and homophobic attack (Netherlands)
“I have to be on watch 24/7 just because of who I am, it drains me. I’m just not important”.
Omair was harassed on grounds of his origin and sexual orientation on a
bus in Utrecht. The police officer did not want to document witnesses’
statements or check the bus camera images. Four months later, Omair
received a statement by the police that the case could not be pursued
due to lack of evidence. Omair requested a meeting at his police office
to discuss the statement with a member of the Pink in Blue Network, a
network of LGBTQI police officers. The officer acknowledged the case
should have been investigated as a hate crime and that the incident was
wrongly recorded.
Police mistreatment of Roma people (Slovakia)
More than 60 police officers physically attacked 30 Roma people,
including women and children, during a police raid. The police entered
the houses without permission and caused material damage. Several
complaints were submitted to the police inspection for investigation.
The police inspection found that the police had acted in accordance with
the law. The inspection was based only on investigating information
from police officers. No other witness was included in the inspection.
One victim filed a criminal complaint, but this was dismissed as
unfounded.
Why does the European Commission need a commissioner for the protection of “our” European values? Protection of what “European” values need protecting?
Are social exclusion and racism European values? What about the over 34,361 migrants who have died to May 2018 while crossing the Mediterranean Sea? What about Islamophobia? Fascism? Our unrepentant colonial past, among other dark spots?
What are our common values? Human rights? Respect for diversity and social equality? Are we hypocrites or do these laws only apply to white Europeans?
Apart from the 25 new commissioners being white, it’s clear that little will change concerning inequality and racism with EU President-elect Ursula von der Leyenwith.
The EU is such a hostile place for some minorities these days that even the mere suggestion of a little diversity causes a hostile knee-jerk reaction.
EU President-elect Ursula von der Leyen presented Tuesday her team and the new structure of the next European Commission. Apart from having no minorities on the commission, von der Leyen, raised a lot of eyebrows by nominating Margaritis Schinas of Greece as the new Commissioner for Protecting Our European Way of Life.
In a story in The Independent, states that the title suggests that immigration and cultural diversity are threats to Europe.
The fact that at this point EU President-elect von der Leyen seeks a Commission for Protecting our European Way of Life suggests that racism and social exclusion of minorities and people of color will continue to get the short end of the European stick.
Molly Scott Cato, a British Green MEP, was quoted as saying in The Independent: “This looks like the portfolio to fight back against the rise of the fascists, but only by adopting their divisive rhetoric around ‘strong borders.'”
The new nominees for commissioner are all white. Even Finland’s commissioner, Jutta Urpilainen, had a difficult time understanding almost ten years ago what cultural diversity means and who are people of color. Her (in)famous avice to immigrants: In Rome do as the Romans do. Urpilainen will be in charge of international partnerships and forging relations relations with Africa.
Dutch liberal MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld added: “The very point about the European way of life, is the freedom for individuals to chose their own way of life. We do not need a Commissioner for that, thank you very much.”
She adds: “The implication that Europeans need to be protected from external cultures is grotesque and this narrative should be rejected.”
ECRI added: “[t]o tackle growing racist and intolerant hate speech, better coordinate integration activities for immigrants and review the law requiring transgender people to be sterilized before they can have their new gender legally recognized.”
Finland’s hostile environment against migrants and minorities is a Mayday call to do something.
But how can anything effective be done if Finland’s second-largest political party in parliament, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, are spreading ethnic hatred and demanding to do away with hate speech laws?
How much harm and fuel to the fire of racism is spread when politicians like PS First Vice-President Riikka Purra near-constantly attacks people of color by labeling them “human scum.”
Adding to the problem are mainstream parties like the National Coalition Party and Center Party that give mixed messages on accepting the PS as a future partner in government.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that one of the big problems in Finland is enforcement of hate speech laws. For some, the police are seen as part of the problem.
Even so, ECRI said that “it welcomes the adoption of a new anti-discrimination law and the prohibition of ethnic profiling, as well as measures taken to combat hate speech, including the setting-up of Hate Speech Investigation Teams in every Police Department.”
Some 900 Finnish police officers have received training on preventing and combating hate crimes.
* The far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.
Helsinki City Councillor Abdirahim Husu Hussein, who is now giving racists and parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* a taste of their own medicine proves a point: There is too much racism in Finland, and too little is done to counter it.
Disagree? How many hate speech, hate crime, and cases involving racism ever reach the courts? How long does it take to reach the courts? How many get convictions?
Hussein’s case is a sad reminder that even if we have good laws against racism and hate speech, too little is done to enforce them.
Attacks against Hussein continue and show that Finland does too little to counter hate speech and racism.
Racism and hate are like a rabid dog that some politicians walk to impress and lure their voters. They forget, however, that that dog knows no master and can bite back hard, very hard.
* The far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.
A report by the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) warns that Norway and Europe may suffer from terrorist attacks in the next few months against Muslims, Jews, and the LGBTQ community, reports Yle, citing the Norwegian Police Security Service.
PST cites the Christchurch attack against two mosques in New Zealand in March as a source which may encourage some to act.
Apart from alligator tears from then Foreign Minister Timo Soini, PS Youth’s Johannes Sipola blamed in the tweet below the killings in New Zealand on multiculturalism.
Even PS Chairperson Jussi Halla-aho played down what happened in New Zealand in March. He considered the attack due to mental health or social marginalization.
Considering that “quiet” Norway suffered its worst attack after World War 2 on July 22, 2011, when Anders Breivik murdered 77 innocent victims, and a new attack happened in August when a young white Norwegian did not succeed at killing Muslims at the Al-Noor Islamic Center near Oslo.
Writes PST: “Some right-wing groups internationally will insist on urging their members to carry out terrorist attacks. The groups are spreading terrorist propaganda as part of their goal to launch a revolution and a racial war.”
What about Finland? Has the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (SUPO) conducted a similar assessment? I’m certain that they have but why haven’t they warned the public?
Considering that radical right groups like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are spreading the very hatred that fuels and feeds white terrorism, this may discourage them from being too public about the threat.
Finnish exceptionalism and simple ignorance on the impact of racism may also be factors.
Words have consequences and those words are copied by the PS and other hard-right groups. Apart from fueling racism and discrimination, it’s pretty clear that labeling Muslims and Africans as a threat to Finland is the poison pill that these white terrorists like to hear.
All of the PS MPs who got elected this year used Islamophobia or some form of populist anti-immigration rhetoric in their campaigns.
Racism and and spreading ethnic hatred has become so normal in Finland that the PS’ first vice-president, Riikka Purra, asks with a poker face if it is racist to call an African rapist “human scum.”
Indeed, it is racist, especially when the person making such a comment is white and belongs to an Islamophobic party like the PS.
As words have consequences so does spreading racism. Racism is like a rabid dog that populist anti-immigration politicians use to impress their voters. They walk around with this dog but keep it on a short leash. Since the dog knows no master, it can bite its owner hard.
The rise in hate crime in Finland is already one indication that should start to worry.
Let’s hope that this concern turns to action to tackle all forms of hatred.
* The far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.
A racist is an individual, always an individual, who does not like people based on race – must be conscious – and who intentionally seems to be mean to them.
Robin DiAngelo, sociologist
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED
In English, we have a lot of words for bullshit: baloney, hogwash, crap, wise tales, poppycock, malarkey, snow job, lies, deception, rubbish, and many, many more. Some of these words pop up in my head when I hear politicians from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* partyspeak about their pet punching bag: migrants, asylum seekers, and minorities.
If we look at DiAngelo’s definition of a racist, it sits well with many, if not all, members of the PS.
One of these politicians is Frist Vice President Riikka Purra. She had the gall to tweet the following question after appearing on Susanne Päivärinta’s talk show: “In your opinion, is it racist to call an African rapist human scum?”
Do we need to answer her offensive and racist question, or does her question answer the question?
PS First Vice-President Riikka Purra writes a lot about immigration, but she can’t get her facts straight. She could not mention in Susanne Päivärinta’s talk show what were the three most prominent national groups in Finland. Since she doesn’t know, Purra likes to make up lies and spread conspiracy theories about migrants, especially people of color.
Apart from her fear-mongering, about how white Finns will be taken over by people of color, she uses terms like “harmful immigration” and “mass immigration” to justify her racism and hatred of Muslims, Africans, Middle Easterners and people of color in general.
Considering that Finland is one of the whitest countries in Europe, Purra’s claim that white Finns will become a minority is ludicrous. Considering that Finland is the second-most violent country for women to live in the EU, it is disingenuous of her to state that Finland has one of the best cultures in the world for women.
Purra disagreed that Finland is such a violent place for women. She criticized the methodology of the study.
The PS politician should take a look at the mirror and listen to her anti-immigration rhetoric and ask if this is how people of “one of the best cultures in the world” speak to and treat asylum seekers?
She also mentioned that when a person becomes a naturalized Finn it does not make the person “an ethnic Finn.”
What is an “ethnic Finn?” Is there only one type of Finn?
Certainly not, Purra. There are today, as there were before, many types of Finns. There are Afrofinn, Muslim Finns, Russian Finns, and the subcategories are almost endless.
I will say it once again: Purra is a disingenuous politician whose anti-immigration rhetoric is a sham.
* The far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.
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