The consequences of 1 tweet posted seven years ago proceed to reverberate for Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who’s on the centre of an ongoing legal case for “hate speech”.
In 2019 Räsänen, who can also be a former government minister, sent out a tweet questioning the appropriateness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church being a sponsor for a Pride event in Helsinki.
Her tweet also included a picture of a Bible verse from Romans chapter 1, which states, “The men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for each other. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for his or her error.”
In 2021 Räsänen was charged with “agitation against a minority group” under the section of the Finnish criminal code that deals with “war crimes and crimes against humanity”. The charges related to the tweet, to her comments in a radio debate, and to a church pamphlet published in 2004. The co-publisher of the pamphlet, Bishop Juhana Pohjola, was also charged.
In the controversy and the pamphlet, Räsänen argued that, in keeping with the Bible, marriage is between one man and one woman and that homosexual relationships are sinful.
Both Räsänen and Pohjola were acquitted of all charges in 2022 and again in 2023. However the prosecutor has appealed yet again, taking the case to the Supreme Court, which is ready to listen to oral arguments on 30 October.
One of the important thing issues within the trial is Räsänen’s use of the word “sin”. Described as hateful and insulting by the prosecution, Räsänen’s defence notes that is the term utilized in the Bible and that as such it isn’t her that’s on trial, however the Bible itself.
The Finnish State prosecutor, Anu Mantila, said, “You can cite the Bible, nevertheless it is Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion concerning the Bible verses which can be criminal.”
Speaking of her ongoing ordeal, Räsänen said, “It isn’t a criminal offense to tweet a Bible verse, or to interact in public discourse from a Christian perspective.
“The attempts to criminalize me for expressing my beliefs have resulted in an immensely trying previous couple of years, but I still hope for a positive result that may stand as a key precedent to guard the human right to free speech in Finland.”
Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International and a part of Räsänen’s legal defence team, expressed disbelief that the state was continuing to go after her.
“It is shocking that after two unanimous acquittals, Päivi Räsänen is again being dragged to court to defend her fundamental right to freedom of speech,” he said.
“As now we have warned for years, vaguely worded ‘hate speech’ laws allow ideological prosecutions like this to happen.
“We stand behind Päivi and we’ll proceed to work toward the larger victory when such ludicrous cases are not any longer brought. In a free and democratic society, all must be allowed to share their beliefs without fear of punishment.”
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