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In a landmark decision, Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has been convicted by the Finnish Supreme Court for disseminating a pamphlet that reflects traditional views on marriage and sexuality. This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing discussions about freedom of speech and its limits.
The court’s decision focused on a 2004 pamphlet, co-published with Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, which was found guilty of “hate speech.” The court stated that the pamphlet contained opinions that “insult homosexuals as a group on the basis of their sexual orientation” and noted that Räsänen continued to publicly share the content on her social media in 2019 and 2020.
Despite being convicted for the pamphlet, Räsänen was acquitted of a separate charge related to a 2019 tweet where she criticized her church’s sponsorship of a Pride event. The court unanimously agreed that citing a biblical text in her tweet did not constitute incitement.
Consequently, Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola face substantial fines, and the court has mandated the removal and destruction of the pamphlet’s statements from public access. Räsänen, who previously served as Finland’s Minister of the Interior, was convicted under a section of the Finnish criminal code dealing with “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Expressing her dismay, Räsänen stated, “I am shocked and profoundly disappointed that the court has failed to recognize my basic human right to freedom of expression. I stand by the teachings of my Christian faith, and will continue to defend my and every person’s right to share their convictions in the public square.”
Räsänen is contemplating an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, emphasizing that her case is pivotal not only for her but also for freedom of speech in Finland. “This is not about my free speech alone, but that of every person in Finland,” she remarked.
Her reaction to the mixed outcome highlighted concerns about fundamental freedoms in Finland. “The ruling sends a troubling and contradictory message,” she said, yet she remains steadfast in her commitment to expressing her beliefs.
Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, commented on the ruling, asserting that “freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democracy.” He praised the court’s decision to acquit Räsänen regarding her 2019 tweet but criticized the conviction over the decades-old pamphlet, viewing it as extreme state censorship.
According to Coleman, the ruling “sets a new low bar for free speech in Europe” and may have broader implications due to similar hate speech laws across the continent. ADF CEO Kristen Waggoner further warned that “punishing peaceful expression, especially when it is based on deeply held religious convictions, undermines the very foundation of free societies.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
