In a significant move that could influence the landscape of free speech and religious expression in Europe, Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has escalated her legal fight to the European Court of Human Rights. This comes after the Finnish Supreme Court’s conviction in March, which narrowly passed with a 3-2 decision.
Räsänen’s conviction revolves around statements made in her 2004 booklet, “Male and Female He Created Them,” which discusses Christian views on marriage and sexuality. The Supreme Court’s verdict overturned previous acquittals and imposed a fine of 1,800 euros ($1,950) on her, along with legal costs.
In her appeal, Räsänen expressed hope for a favorable judgment from the European Court. “I hope that the Court in Strasbourg will find that the judgment issued in Finland violates the freedoms of expression and religion protected by the European Convention on Human Rights,” she stated.
The central argument of Räsänen’s defense is that her publication serves a religious purpose, presenting biblical insights on marriage. She criticized the Supreme Court’s decision for taking her statements out of context. “The book as a whole falls within the protection of freedom of religion,” she argued.
Interestingly, Räsänen was not convicted for authoring the booklet but for republishing it on social media in 2019 in response to public criticism. Initially, police found no legal issues in the publication, but a subsequent investigation was ordered by the Prosecutor General.
Räsänen also dismissed claims that her work demeaned homosexuals, stating, “In my book, I repeatedly state that all people have equal human value.”
The legal battle has sparked concerns about legal certainty in Finland, as noted by Räsänen who highlighted that nine out of 12 judges across different courts found no criminal content in her writings. “This demonstrates the lack of legal certainty and the arbitrariness of the interpretations involved,” she said.
International repercussions of the conviction have surfaced as well. Räsänen was recently barred from entering the U.K. after disclosing her conviction on an Electronic Travel Authorization application. The same fate befell Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who was convicted alongside Räsänen. Pohjola, fined and punished for publishing the booklet, voiced concerns over state influence on church teachings.
“If authorities can censor religious teaching and dictate how faith leaders instruct their followers, religion becomes a tool of the state rather than a means to freedom and human flourishing,” Pohjola warned.
The appeal to the European Court is backed by the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom International. Lorcán Price, legal counsel for ADF International, emphasized the case’s significance. “Her ban from entering the United Kingdom is completely disproportionate and unnecessary,” he remarked, urging the European Court to accept the case to safeguard democratic principles.
Despite the ongoing legal ordeal, Räsänen remains resolute. “From the very beginning, I have said that I will remain faithful to my conviction, rooted in a Christian worldview based on the Bible,” she affirmed.
© Christian Daily International
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
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