MV-lehti: a Finnish anti-immigration irony

By definition, xenophobes are bigoted, prejudiced and often racist individuals who dislike immigrants or, in general, dislike people from other countries. It is therefore ironic to have someone who seemingly dislikes immigrants but is himself the son of an immigrant, currently lives in a foreign country and at the same time runs an anti-immigrant website from his adopted country. 

An anti-immigrant website has been on the news lately in Finland. According to Yle, the site, MV-lehti, was founded in 2014 and has been accused of racism, slander, conspiracy theories, copyright infringement and privacy violations in Finland. Yle reports that the website has gained a larger readership in Finland over the past year since the migrant crisis began in Europe after publishing incendiary, erroneous and abusive articles on immigration and other subjects. The website is reportedly known for also publishing, amongst other things, pictures of [foreign] crime suspects and convicted criminals in violation of Finland's privacy laws.

Screenshot of MV-lehti header

The website's founder, Ilja Janitskin, told Yle in an interview (in Finnish) that his father was born in Leningrad (known nowadays as St. Petersburg), Russia. His father migrated to Finland (from Russia) when he fell in love with a Finnish woman. The couple settled in Lieksa, eastern Finland, where they gave birth to and raised the founder of the anti-immigrant website MV-lehti. He tells Yle that he considers himself "100% Finnish." In the 2000s he emigrated to Miami, Florida where he lived for 2 years. He returned to Finland from Miami, and joined an organized criminal motorcycle club after being unable to find work. He then moved to Spain where he now lives in Barcelona where MV-lehti was founded.

Several youth and political orgainzations joined forces and launched a campaign against MV-lehti and another anti-immigrant website in an effort to cut off funds by targeting the websites' advertisers. The rationale of the campaign is that the websites in question agitate hatred towards minority groups in Finnish society hence companies should not benefit from that. The campaign against the sites was reportedly launched by the Social Democratic Students (SONK), and the organization's chair reportedly received death threats following the launch of the campaign.

A police investigation was launched on the request of Finland's Deputy Prosecutor General to determine whether or not charges should be pressed against the founder of MV-lehti. According to Yle police received dozens of complaints about the website, and launched an investigation on suspicion of copyright infringement, libel, aggravated defamation, fundraising crimes and gambling crimes. Helsinki district court rejected a petition by police to shut down the website. The site's founder was however remanded in custody in absentia. Police want to question him on suspicion of inciting hatred against an ethnic group and aggravated slander. He is also suspected of illegal threats, money laundering and gambling crimes, breaches of confidentiality and copyright crimes.  Yle reports that the suspect said he will not willingly give himself up for questioning and that he may consider seeking asylum in Spain to avoid Finnish authorities. He could face arrest and extradition to Finland since the Helsinki Appeals Court threw out an appeal against the remand order.

The suspect was detained in Spain following the decision by Finnish courts to remand him in custody. He was however released by Spanish authorities a few days later. 

My Take

I watched Yle's interview with Janitskin, titled "Janitskinin totuus??!!" Sitting on a sofa stroking a bunny, IIja Janitskin came across in the interview as defiant. But despite his best attempt to debunk claims that he is an immigrant himself, nothing can change the fact: he is an immigrant demonizing immigrants. Not only Somalis and Africans are immigrants. A Finn living in Spain is also an immigrant in Spain. It is that simple. Janitskin reportedly emigrated to Miami at one point and later to Spain. He is as immigrant as an immigrant can get. If he is not an immigrant in Spain no one living in a foreign country is - not even the Somalis bearing the brunt of racism in his hometown of Lieksa, which by the way has a unflattering reputation. 

It is ironic to see someone whose father was an immigrant and who is currently an immigrant himself running an anti-immigrant website against immigrants living in the country to which his father emigrated from his native Russia. And it is telling that Janitskin says he would seek asylum in Spain if need be. Someone radically opposed to immigrants and asylum seekers considering seeking asylum elsewhere. Paradoxical.

Mindful of the fact that his father was a Russian who migrated to Finland, Janitskin is of immigrant background by birth. To put it into perspective - president Barack Obama of the United States is of immigrant background. Obama was born in the United States to an American mother and a Kenyan father. Obama is 100% American in the same way Janitskin is, in his own words, "100% Finnish" - although some racist Finnish right-wing extremists, many of whom, I think, enjoy the content of website would argue - in private if not in public - that he is not 100% Finnish as he claims.

The first thing that stroke me while watching the Yle interview was that he felt the need to brand himself "100% Finnish." This led me to believe this might be someone struggling with identity crisis; someone who probably thinks he is more "Finnish" than others. It would be interesting to know what he thinks of a person who was, for example, born in Finland to a Tanzanian mother and a Finnish father. In other words, I would like to know whether  Janitskin also thinks someone born in Lieksa to a Somali father and a Finnish mother is also "100% Finnish." Drawing from the anti-multiculturalism and anti-migrant content on his MV-lehti website my guess is he probably does not think so.

Ilja Janitskin touched on freedom of expression in the Yle interview. According to him people have the right to write what they want. From a legal standpoint it is not true. There are justifiable legal limitations to freedom of expression in both national legislation and in international human rights conventions like the European Convention on Human Rights (article 10) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Janitskin claims he does not force anyone to read his thoughts or comments of his readers. This statement points to a common problem among people who spew and incite hate online: they are often quick to point to their rights while being oblivious to their duties and the rights of others. Everyone reserves the right to visit a website that is open to the public and the right to report to the authorities if they think a crime is being committed online. That is why Finnish police have the Net Tip or Nettivinkki section on its website through which internet users can submit non-emergency information to the police in relation to any suspicious material found online, including racist or hate crimes and discrimination.The publisher of an inflammatory website cannot ask people of good conscience to look away.

I welcome legal action against hate speech and incitement of hatred both online and offline, and I commend those who proactively take legal action against hate-mongering websites and against individuals that threaten public safety by inciting hatred against minority groups. It is unfortunate that the chair of SONK, Hanna Huumonen, received death threats for launching a campaign against MV-lehti and a related website. The death threats are an indication of the threat posed by such websites and the people who run them. People of goodwill fighting social ills should not be cowed by illegal threats designed to silence them and intended to create an environment conducive for racism to foster. 

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Far-right extremism claims life in Finland - time to pull the plug

For too long right-wing extremist and neo-Nazi organizations have had their way across Europe. They enjoy freedoms and liberties to organize, demonstrate, express themselves and terrorize opponents under the guise of civil and political rights -- rights that other extremist groups such as extremist groups that kill in the name of Islam do not enjoy. It's time to pull the plug on violent extremism in all its forms. Violent extreme-right organizations should be outlawed like all other extreme groups that claim lives through senseless acts of violence across the world. Political extremism should be painted with the same brush like religious extremism.

A 28-year-old man died in hospital in Finland one week after he was assaulted at a neo-Nazi demonstration in broad daylight in the heart of Helsinki. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the victim was assaulted in front of Helsinki Central Railway Station on Saturday 10 September. His father told Helsingin Sanomat that the attack took place at a demonstration organized by the Finnish Resistance Movement known in Finnish as Suomen vastarintaliike - an infamous neo-Nazi organization.  Police confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat that a man received strikes to the head in the city center but were initially tight-lipped about the case. However, details of the case quickly became clear.

According to Ilta-Sanomat the victim, Jimi Joonas Karttunen, died on Friday 16 September at 10 pm. His father made a police report on Monday. The grieving father told Ilta-Sanomat that his only son was pushed to the ground, hit his head and lost consciousness. He was taken to hospital in Töölö from where he was discharged on Thursday. He however suffered from cerebral hemorrhage the next day and was able to call emergency services before losing consciousness. Emergency services found him on the floor and took him to Meilahti hospital where he died. His father described him as an "international, open person" who was interested in skating and snowboarding. He was born in Sweden and they moved to Finland just ten years ago. Ilta-Sanomat reports that the Finnish Resistance Movement posted its own version of events that day on its website. According to an update on the movement's website, "an activist intervened in a situation and gave a quick crackdown" to a heckler. A video published by the movement shows a man lying on the ground next to a blood splotch.

Police detained a man born in 1990 in relation to the assault. According to Yle, the suspect turned himself in. He is suspected of assault and involuntary manslaughter. Another Yle report reveals that the suspected assailant has a violent background and is a founding member of the neo-Nazi Finnish Resistance Movement. Police confirmed the victim died of a head injury after being kicked.

The accused was remanded in custody on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter which carries a prison sentence of up to six years, according to Yle.

According to MTV News the accused has a heavy criminal record and history with the neo-Nazi Finnish Resistance Movement. For instance in 2010 he, together with a partner in crime, push over a man in Helsinki and kicked him in the face and body. In 2011 he tried to stop police from arresting another man by pushing and grabbing a police officer. In addition, he has previously been convicted of obstructing a public servant, smuggling, possession of a dangerous object and aggravated damage.

My Take

First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family and friends of Jimi Karttunen. The senseless violence that claimed his life is utterly despicable and unacceptable. Jimi Karttunen died apparently opposing neo-Nazism and racism. According to his friends he had strong opinions and was not afraid to express them, and human rights were important to him. For this reason, as a person who shares his values with regard to human rights, I pay him homage. I was one of the numerous people who visited the crime scene and lite a candle in his honor.

Reports say the 28-year-old met his end standing up neo-Nazi demonstrators. Police say the victim walked by a group of neo-Nazi demonstrators who gathered at Helsinki Central Railway Station, stopped by the demonstrators, exchanged words and was chased by one of the demonstrators as he walked away. He was kicked in the chest and hit his head when he fell to the ground. According to an eyewitness, the victim was hit on the chest by a flying kick and he did not have time to react. His father told Helsingin Sanomat that he went with his friends to express his views about the Finnish Resistance Movement.

Not many people have the courage to stand up for what they believe in and make their voices heard. Jimi, according to his father was not a member of an anti-racism organisation. However, the fact that he expressed opposition to neo-Nazism shows that he was an anti-racist at heart. For that, I salute him. Losing a loved one is a horrible experience but I hope Jimi's family takes some solace in the fact that his death brought the threat of neo-Nazism, a long-standing and overlooked problem in Finland, to the limelight. Hopefully, weeks, months or years from now Finland will look at the tragic passing of Jimi Kartunen as a defining moment in the fight against racism, neo-Nazism, far-right extremism and senseless political violence in the country. In this regard, Jimi would have literally left Finland a better place for all. There are already signs that things are moving in that direction.

The tragedy on 10 September literally ignited overdue public discourse about how to eradicate neo-Nazism, a social-ill that poses a real threat to human rights in Finland. A lot seems to have happened since then - geared towards stopping the madness. For instance, Minister of Finance and leader of the National Coalition Party, Petteri Orpo, told Yle that violent right-wing organisations should be banned. The minister said if ways to ban political organisations that use violence are found he would support the ban. According to the minister extreme right organisations are security threat and a ban on such organisations had already been discussed in government at the beginning of the year but legal scholars have had different opinions on how violent organizations could possibly be banned; nine legislators launched a bill to outlaw "organized racism".They will need another 91 MPs to back their legislative proposal but it's a good start; an anti-racism demonstration (Peli poikki!) was organized and scheduled to take place on Saturday 24 September 2015. According to Yle 9 000 people had indicated on Facebook by midday on Friday that they would participate in the demonstration billed to "break the silence" on racism. At the time of this writing the number stood at 10 000. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will participate in a related demonstration against racism in Kuopio. Former president Tarja Halonen will be one of the speakers at the Peli poikki anti-racism demonstration in Helsinki.

The most important thing, I think, that has happened since the passing of Jimi Kartunen is the arrest and remand to custody of the alleged perpetrator. Police acted swiftly, which is absolutely commendable. If found guilty, the perpetrator should bear the full weight of the law. He should be slapped with the maximum penalty possible for such a heinous crime. Involuntary manslaughter, according to Yle, carries a prison sentence of up to six years. I would like to see the accused sentenced to six long years in prison. His colorful criminal record should make conviction easy. Given his record he poses a threat to public safety. He should be incarcerated for the maximum period of time the law allows. The sentence should not be suspended. He should spend the time behind bars.

As for the so-called Finnish Resistance Movement -- it is a violent organization. It glorified the attack on Jimi Kartunen on its website by boasting about it in a post that described the victim as a heckler who received a "quick crackdown". That is according to Ilta-Sanomat. The "crackdown" apparently led to the death of a 28-year-old man.

The death of Kartunen is not the first time the so-called Finnish Resistance Movement is involved in violence. In 2015, a demonstration organized by the movement went out of hand in Jyväskylä when members of the group entered a department store and assaulted bystanders. Three people were injured and thirty two people were arrested. Assault seems to be the group's preferred method of operation.

It is high time Finland pulls the plug on violent far-right extremism before it claims more lives. Legal restrictions on violent political groups -- restrictions designed to protect members of the public from organized violence and racism -- are necessary and proportionate in a democratic society in the interest of public safety, for the prevention of crime and for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. A ban on violent groups is compatible with human rights. If a group commits or participates in acts of violence, prepares for violence or promotes, encourages and glorifies violence it should be banned. Terrorist groups are already banned for these reasons in many countries, and no one thinks a ban on such groups is in violation of human rights standards of free expression and assembly.

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Wage discrimination by Nokia against foreigners in Finland

Public discourse about wage gap or wage discrimination in Finland is mostly gender-based -- but not only women are negatively affected by wage differentials between people doing the same kind of job for the same employer in Finland. Foreigners, or non-Finns, - men and women alike - are a vulnerable group susceptible to many forms of discrimination and unequal treatment, including wage discrimination.

Studies show that women are paid less on average than men in "virtually all labour markets", and the Finnish labour market -- where women receive wages that are some 15-30 percent less than men´s wages -- is no exception. Gender wage differentials may arise from labour market segregation or employers may simply pay lower wages to their female employees than their male employees for the same type of job (Korkeamäki, Ossi, Kyyrä and Tomi 2003). According to Korkeamäki et al (2003) such "within-job wage differentials" between men and women could be interpreted as wage discrimination against women. According to a Yle report, gender pay-gap in Finland is worse than in the rest of Europe.

It turns out that not only women are subjected to wage discrimination in the Finnish labour market. Foreigners are also susceptible. According to information reportedly obtained by Yle from a State Administrative Inspection Agency, foreign IT employees working for Nokia in Finland were paid much less than Finnish employees. Indian, Chinese and Polish IT employees who worked for Nokia between 2014-2015 were paid salaries as low as 750 euros a month - much less than Finnish employees. Yle reports that from the obtained documents foreign workers who worked in product development design earned 50-70 percent less than their Finnish counterparts.

Worthy to mention that according to the Union for Professional Engineers in Finland the salary for work done by the foreign workers discriminated against by Nokia should be at least 4000 euros a month. Compare that to the meager 750 euros a month that Nokia paid them.

According to Yle the issue of wage discrimination against foreigners in Nokia was exposed in a State Administrative Agency inspection, and Nokia received a warning from the agency regarding the matter of wage discrimination.

My view

First of all, a mere warning for wage discrimination by a multinational information and information technology company - or what remains of it - is grossly insufficient reprimand for such an illegal act in a country governed by the rule of law.

Wage discrimination against women in Finland is a serious problem worth discussing and seeking solutions - but not only women are affected by wage discrimination. Public discourse about wage discrimination in Finland should be expanded to included all vulnerable groups, including foreigners - who are not only affected by discriminatory employment practices but also discriminatory wage differential. Although women as a whole are adversely affected by wage discrimination it is possible that foreign women are paid even less than their Finnish counterparts for the same kind of work in the Finnish labour market.

The fact that foreign workers in Nokia were paid up to 50-70 percent less than their Finnish counterparts is alarming. And that is just Nokia. What transpires in other companies and workplaces and in other sectors can only be left to the imagination. If more inspections are carried out as intended by the Regional State Administrative Agency I believe there will be more shocking revelations that would damage Finland's reputation among countries that pride themselves as champions of equality.

According to Korkeamäki et al (2003), women in the Finnish labour market take home 15-30 percent less wages than men. According to Yle, studies show that women in the Nordic country earn on average 18 percent less than men. I reckon the average is higher among foreigners. This is not to say wage discrimination against women is not an important subject; it is to say that wage discrimination among other vulnerable minority groups like foreigners is equally important and worth looking into. After all, it has been said that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Selective outrage to cases of discrimination is in itself discriminatory.

It is unfortunate and unjust that Nokia seems to have, more or less, gotten away with such a scandalous violation of national and international human rights standards on equality and non-discrimination with a mere slap on the wrist in the form of a warning. Imagine a world where all offenders got away with warnings. A satisfactory consequence of such a blatant transgression, I think, would be reparation to victims - in addition to punitive measures. The near-silence on the matter by Finnish civil society and equality advocates - many of whom are usually vocal on matters of inequality, especially when it involves women - is telling. Perhaps the muted response by the Finnish public is because victims of the violation are foreigners. Perhaps Finnish society and the powers that be would have been more concerned and outraged if the affected workers were Finns - or women. Fortunately or unfortunately, Finnish workers were not adversely affected by the scandal -- they in fact earned 50-70 percent more than their foreign counterparts, according to Yle.

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