January 24 Päivi Räsänen, a doctor, a mother of five and a grandmother of seven, are brought before a Finnish court. The allegation was made in a 2004 brochure on marriage and human sexuality, a 2019 radio speech statement, and a 2019 Twitter statement.

Finland is a democratic country close to Latvia and has for many years been an example in building and consolidating a democratic society in which every citizen has the right to express his or her views with dignity on the basis of his or her religious and philosophical beliefs.

Latvian NGOs believe that the accusations against Päivi Räsä are unfounded and violate human dignity and freedom of speech! Every citizen of the European Union has the right to express his or her views publicly and to discuss matters of public interest, including, where appropriate, by quoting the Bible.

Articles 9 and 10 of the Council of Europe Convention Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms states that – everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and to freedom of expression. Consequently, the Finnish authorities’ efforts to restrict freedom of expression are illegal and do not comply with international human rights instruments!

Latvian NGOs support Päivi Räsänen and appreciate the efforts to protect freedom of speech and religion in Finland and agree with Päivi Räsänen: “Now is the time to talk. Because the more we are silent, the narrower the state of freedom of speech and religion grows.

Latvia joined the European Union in 2004, where every citizen has freedom of speech and religion, so Latvian NGOs are demanding that the Finnish authorities stop prosecuting Päivi Räsänen and guarantee every citizen the right to freedom of speech and religion.

A police investigation into Räsä began in June 2019. As an active member of the Finnish Lutheran Church, he addressed the leadership of his church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event “Pride 2019” along with the Bible text. Räsänen has already participated in several long police interrogations about his views and has had to wait more than a year for the public prosecutor’s decision to continue the prosecution. The decision was made in April 2021 and ADF International will continue to support Räsänen’s defense and the right to freely share their faith.

Päivi Räsänen has served as a Member of Parliament since 1995 and as Minister of the Interior in 2011-2015. She is a doctor, a mother of five, and has seven grandchildren.

“Freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones of democracy. The decision of the Attorney General to prosecute Dr. Räsä creates a culture of fear and censorship. If committed officials like Päivi Räsänen are convicted of expressing their deep-rooted beliefs, it will have a chilling effect on everyone’s right to speak freely, said Paul ColemanExecutive Director of ADF International and author of “Censored”.

Latvian NGOs