The Finnish Supreme Court has convicted Ms. Räsänen for hate speech for having “made available to the public and kept available to the public opinions that insult homosexuals as a group on the basis of their sexual orientation”. The public opinion pertains a church pamphlet she wrote in 2004.

At the same time, the Supreme Court acquitted Ms. Räsänen for citing a Bible verse in a tweet.

The ruling raises questions about the ability of politicians and public figures to express religiously grounded views as the conviction demonstrating the growing tensions around one’s freedom of expression and freedom of religion in Europe. The fact that the ruling was a 3-2 split decision also invokes a sense of ambiguity.

Valeriu Ghilețchi, ECPP President:

“The ECPP unequivocally defends the right of every European to express their religious convictions without fear of criminal prosecution. What happened to Päivi Räsänen is an attack not only on her, but on the conscience of every believer in Europe. We call on European institutions and governments to safeguard religious freedom before it is too late. A Europe that criminalises the Bible has lost its way.”

Cristian Terheș, ECPP Member of the European Parliament:

“When the judiciary in an EU country convicts a person for publishing a church pamphlet, it is no longer protecting anyone, but persecuting everyone. Today it is Päivi Räsänen. Tomorrow it is any priest, pastor or believer who dares to express their faith. Freedom of conscience either exists for all, or it exists for none. The time has come not to be silent or afraid, but to stand firm in defending freedom and in giving testimony to the world about our Christian faith.”

Photo: ADF International