Who Is Interested in the Rights of Nigerien Homosexuals?

According to a recent news report, Niger, located in West Africa, has criminalized same-sex relationships. As a result, people who engage in homosexual activity can be sentenced to up to ten years in prison and fined.

In addition, the law states that attempting to engage in "LGBTQ acts" may be punished in the same way. And that is not all: participating in the activities of organizations representing sexual and gender minorities can also result in an equally severe punishment.

* * *

The reason given for the new law is that same-sex relationships are not in line with the country's social and cultural values. It remains to be seen, therefore, how various European organizations and civil society activists will react to Niger's values and culture.

Will we see rainbow activists demonstrating in the streets of Helsinki, Stockholm, Berlin, or Paris in support of homosexual people in Niger? Will European politicians condemn the actions of Niger's government? Or will Nigeriens themselves rise up against the country's military regime as a result of the decision?

* * *

Personally, I believe that the plight of homosexual people in Niger is of little real interest to Europeans. Neither politicians nor rainbow activists are likely to be motivated to protest over the issue.

For my part, I maintain that a person's sexuality is a private matter and should concern no one other than the individuals involved, provided that it does not involve violence, coercion, or exploitation. This principle applies equally in the European Union and in Niger, and for that reason I wish to express my disapproval of the actions of the country's military government.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
When Free Speech Is Prosecuted: Päivi Räsänen’s Case Explained for Americans
Gender identity and the future of Finnishness
Library Scrubs Queer Creator’s Character from Moomin Exhibit

Is Female Genital Mutilation a Lesser Crime Than Rape?

The Finnish police have launched the first preliminary investigations into the genital mutilation of girls taking place within well-known immigrant communities. Hopefully, the cases will be clarified and those responsible will be punished.

According to a news report on the matter, a person guilty of mutilating girls’ genitals — that is, so-called circumcision — may be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from one to ten years. In other words, the scale is quite broad.

For my part, I would hope that the courts eventually handling the first cases will be up to their task and refrain from applying the lowest penalties on the scale. I justify this by noting that, according to the law, even basic-form rape must result in a custodial sentence of at least one year — and surely no reasonable person can consider the permanent damage of a woman’s genitals to be a lesser act than their forced use?

It is therefore also necessary to question the reasoning of lawmakers — that is, ministers and members of parliament — who have implicitly written into law the view that causing permanent bodily harm would be equivalent to causing temporary harm. This despite the fact that rape also has lasting and serious psychological consequences — but does not mutilation, which is considered particularly brutal violence, have many times more such consequences? And does the fact that it is typically inflicted on girls of growing age not make circumcision even more condemnable?

If I were a lawmaker myself, I would have started the penalty scale for mutilation from where it ends for ordinary rapes. I would also have added to the law the deportation of the parent or parents who decided on the mutilation, if they are not native Finns. After all, the intentional damage of genital organs is an act that demonstrates complete disregard for the values and legislation of Finnish society.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Will European Culture Collapse Under the Weight of Islamic Immigration?
Finnish Society Adopts Medieval Characteristics
A Muslim Woman's Lack of Solidarity with Iranian Women

What’s Next, Iran?

In public discussion, surprisingly little attention has been paid to what would happen if Iran’s Islamist regime were to collapse as a result of the ongoing uprising of its own citizens. Would power be taken—at least temporarily—by the son of the late shah, who ruled the country dictatorially, Reza Pahlavi? And if so, would he, as he has promised, organize free elections, allowing Iranians to establish a democratic system of government? Or would he instead follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming an undemocratic but Western-aligned leader?

Or would the country descend into civil war, with various political groups engaging in armed conflict with one another—an outcome determined partly by Iranians themselves, but also by the amount of support the different sides receive from rival great powers? That is, from Trump’s United States and Xi’s China—but hardly from Russia, bogged down in its own “special operation,” or from a Europe that is disarrayed in every respect.

* * *

Of course, it would be wonderful if Iranians were able, in free elections, to choose an enlightened father of the nation under whose leadership a modern constitution would be created and, on that basis, the rest of the legal system reformed as well. At the same time, religion would be defined as a private matter for each individual, as has been done, for example, here under the North Star.

The question, however, is whether this is what all Iranians actually want. Or do they have different aspirations? Or might the great powers—or neighboring countries, for that matter—have their own spoons in the pot, stirring it in such a way as to push Iranians from a religious dystopia into a secular tyranny?

Unless, of course, the current Islamist regime manages after all to retain its position and continues at the helm of the ship of state, using even harsher methods than before to subjugate its citizens. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Iran at a Crossroads: From Islamist Rule Toward Democracy?
Finnish Ex-Military Chief: U.S. Likely Halted Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program
Will Power Change Hands in Iran?

The original blogpost in Finnish:
Mitä seuraavaksi, Iran?

Russia’s Shadow Fleet Exposes Gaps in International Law

A ship that had been dragging its anchor – Fitburg – damaged a cable running along the seabed of the Gulf of Finland yesterday. The Finnish Border Guard acted with its customary efficiency, documented the dangling anchor with photographs, and took the vessel into custody.

The case will next proceed to a more detailed investigation and, in due course, undoubtedly to court. This in itself sounds good, but I would like to draw your attention, dear readers, to what happened last October.

At that time, the Helsinki District Court announced that it would not examine the charges – in a similar case – against the vessel Eagle S, which belongs to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, nor the compensation claims based on those charges. The court held that Finland’s Criminal Code could not be applied to the case.

The matter was commented on at the time by Member of Parliament Jarno Limnéll (National Coalition Party), who stated that “clearer legislation and international agreements are needed that give states the ability to deal with acts of this kind also in exclusive economic zones and international waters.” However, no such measures have emerged during the past couple of months.

For this reason, it seems clear to me that the Fitburg incident – quite evidently a cable sabotage operation ordered by Russia – is, logically speaking, a consequence of the Helsinki District Court’s decision and the shortcomings of international legislation. It is obvious that if breaking cables carries no consequences, Putin’s administration can continue sabotaging them without concern.

It is therefore easy to predict that cables running along the seabed of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea will continue to be damaged – so to speak, “by accident” – in the future. And this will likely continue until the necessary provisions are enacted in international law, despite the expected opposition from Russia and its proxies.

* * *

If one wishes to see something positive in the Fitburg case, it is undoubtedly the efficiency of the actions taken by the Finnish authorities. The cable damage was investigated quickly, and the perpetrator was also stopped.

Because of the legislative problem mentioned above, the only sanction available against the ship’s owner and/or crew will likely be to look for deficiencies in the vessel’s condition, thereby delaying its departure. In this way, the crew would at least be forced to loiter for a while off the coast of Kirkkonummi.

It would be interesting to know whether the shipowner and/or its crew have made an agreement with Vladimir Putin’s administration regarding compensation for those days in rubles or in some stronger currency. The exchange rate of the ruble has recently been in a decline reminiscent of that famous cow’s tail, so the value of days compensated in Russian currency decreases over time.

In any case, any deficiencies found on the vessel must be investigated before it is allowed to leave Finnish territorial waters. And, of course, even the smallest faults discovered on the ship should be required to be carefully repaired before departure clearance is granted – to the vessel and its crew alike.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Is Cable Cutting a Crime Without Punishment?
Sabotage in the Baltic Sea Sparks Calls for New Maritime Borders
Finland Detains Russia-Linked Ship Suspected of Cable Damage

The original blogpost in Finnish:
Kansainvälinen lainsäädäntö kannusti Fitburgin kaapelisabotaasiin

Perspectives on Immigration Restrictions in Finland and the U.S.

You don’t have to—nor is there any reason to—like Donald Trump or everything he has done. There is, however, one thing for which he must be given credit.

His administration has suspended the processing of immigration applications from citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Sierra Leone, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Chad, Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, Somalia, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, and Laos. The reason for this is that an Afghan who had gained entry to the country recently committed an act of terrorism by shooting members of the National Guard.

* * *

Over the years, Finland has also learned that people with developing-country backgrounds commit more violent and sexual offenses than others. That is why it is good that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s (National Coalition Party) government has tightened immigration policy.

As a result, the number of immigration applications on the basis of international protection from citizens of countries with the highest crime risk has been clearly lower last year and this year than at any point since the major migration year of 2015.

* * *

One can only hope that this development continues in the coming years and that the next government of our country does not start dismantling the progress achieved. Instead, one may hope that future policymakers will find a philosopher’s stone for how to get the developing-country immigrants who have already arrived here to adopt Finnish culture and way of life, and thereby take responsibility for their own lives here under the North Star.

One way to advance this goal is to develop criminal law in a direction that reduces the interest of crime-prone newcomers in coming to Finland, while at the same time encouraging those who are already here to live in Rome as the Romans do. In these matters, it is worthwhile to follow practices that have proven effective in other countries—including the immigration policy measures of Donald Trump’s administration—and make use of their experiences in the development of Finnish legislation.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Donald Trump Called a Shooter an Animal
Finally, Honest Reporting on Immigration and Crime
Sensible Immigration or Moral Posturing?

The original blogpost in Finnish:
Väkivalta- ja seksuaalirikollisuuden seuraukset

Finland Denies Blanket Asylum for Gazans, Confirms Tighter Immigration Policies

A Finnish afternoon newspaper reported yesterday that the Finnish Immigration Service had allegedly decided that all Gazans would be entitled to asylum in Finland. The claim sparked considerable surprise, and among others, the minister responsible, Mari Rantanen (Finns Party), immediately posted on social media that she had not seen any such decision. She also stated that there are “enormous risks related to Gazans because of Hamas terrorists.”

Member of Parliament Pia Kauma (National Coalition Party) likewise said, “I do not accept that we would blindly take anyone from Gaza into Finland. The residents of the area have extensive ties to the terrorist organization Hamas, as Hamas holds significant power in Gaza.”

Today, the Immigration Service corrected the afternoon newspaper’s report, stating that it was a misinterpretation by the journalist who wrote about the matter. In reality, all asylum seekers’ ties to terrorism are investigated before they are granted asylum in Finland. This also applies to residents of Gaza.

It should also be noted that Finland has in fact recently tightened its asylum policy. As a result, both the reception allowance for refugees and the duration of international protection have been reduced to a minimum, and additional grounds have been added for denying asylum. Furthermore, switching one’s residence permit basis from asylum to work-based immigration has been prohibited, family reunification to Finland has been restricted, and the requirements for obtaining citizenship have been tightened.

In this context, it is also worth noting that, in addition to the government, the largest opposition party — the Social Democrats — is also moving toward supporting a ban on wearing face-covering veils in schools. This means that Finnish legislation and practices will in the future be shaped in such a way that immigrants will be required to abandon customs that conflict with the Western way of life and instead integrate more fully into Finnish society and its social norms.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Precedent from France Opens EU Pathway for Gaza Palestinians
NATO Sounds the Alarm on Illegal Immigration
EU Citizens Don’t Want More Migrants – But How Can the Flow of Asylum Seekers Be Slowed?

Demonstration Demonstrated the Selfishness of the Demonstrators

A World Rally Championship event is currently taking place in Jyväskylä, Finland. In connection with this, the Finnish branch of Extinction Rebellion, known as Elokapina, organized a protest without prior notice—in other words, an illegal demonstration—intended to disrupt the event. While the incident caused little actual disturbance to the rally itself, it demonstrated how little these identity politics-driven activists care about the law or other people.

This phenomenon is far from new. In fact, it has become an almost permanent feature of major sporting events (example). And it’s likely only a matter of time before the situation escalates to the point where the highlight of someone’s career—perhaps even the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to sport—is ruined.

That’s why it’s important that the activists who protested in Jyväskylä are brought to court, and that the full extent of penalties allowed by law be applied, to make clear that their actions are not acceptable. At the same time, lawmakers in Finland and elsewhere should revise legislation so that the threshold for disrupting major sporting events is raised as high as possible.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnish Branch of Extinction Rebellion Faces Possible Ban
Eco-Fascist Blackmail: Threats of Sabotage Loom Over the World Ski Championships
Criminal Attack Against Finnish Democracy

Can Europe Learn from Finland´s and Spain’s Contrasting Immigration Policies?

The immigration issue in Finland became a normal political process when the government programme of Petteri Orpo's (NCP) cabinet was agreed upon — or at the latest, when those decisions started being implemented into legislation.

In Spain, by contrast, power is held by a socialist government that pays no attention to the problems of immigration. Instead, it is planning to grant residence and work permits to a large number of migrants who have entered the country illegally. In other words, the government led by Pedro Sánchez has decided to ignore the elephant in the room.

Naturally, this failure to address the problems has led to a backlash. A serious sign of this was seen in the municipality of Torre-Pacheco, where a 68-year-old man was attacked by three North African men.

This prompted frustrated Spaniards to take matters into their own hands and engage in outright illegal actions — namely, physically attacking immigrants. Reportedly, no one has died in these incidents, but five people have been injured.

It remains to be seen what the consequences of this unrest will be, as those who have taken justice into their own hands — described as far-right individuals — are to be arrested and prosecuted. All this is taking place in a municipality where as much as one third of the population has an immigrant background.

* * *

The developments I described above should prompt reflection all across Europe. In particular, it would be worthwhile to compare the immigration policies of Spain and Finland. And to examine what they have led to — and what they are likely to lead to in the coming years.

For my part, I believe — in the spirit of former president Paasikivi — that the recognition of facts is the beginning of wisdom. But how on earth can this simple truth be understood by Sánchez's government? Or by the Finnish green-left?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Left Wants to Grill a Swedish Minister Over His Son’s Past – What’s Really Behind It? 
EU Citizens Don’t Want More Migrants – But How Can the Flow of Asylum Seekers Be Slowed?
EU Commission Should Take Migration and Related Crime Seriously

Why Integration Policy Must Confront Cultural Conflicts

A Finnish court has sentenced a man with an Iraqi background to more than six years in prison for aggravated human trafficking, child abduction, and aggravated deprivation of liberty. The case involved a marriage to a 13-year-old girl, with whom the man had three children. The court also found that he had subjected the girl to sexual violence, taken the children from Finland to Sweden, and prevented her from maintaining contact with them.

It is clearly important that the justice system holds individuals accountable for actions that are incompatible with the legal and moral standards of Finnish society. One can hope that this is an isolated case, and not representative of broader cultural attitudes.

However, it is worth noting that Iraq has in recent years passed legislation that permits the marriage of girls as young as nine. This raises questions about how certain legal or cultural norms in some countries might differ significantly from those in Western societies, and how such differences can manifest when individuals move between cultures.

I raise this case because it highlights some of the challenges that humanitarian immigration can pose to host societies, particularly when deeply rooted cultural differences are involved. Child marriage is one example, but it is not the only area where tensions may arise.

For this reason, I believe it would be beneficial for integration policies in Finland to place greater emphasis on encouraging newcomers to adopt the norms and legal expectations of their new country. Rather than placing emphasis on the preservation of cultural practices that may fundamentally conflict with the principles of Western societies, integration efforts should focus on ensuring that newcomers adopt the core values of their new country—for example those related to human rights, gender equality, and the protection of children.

Such an approach would not only help prevent serious harm, as in the case discussed, but would also better support immigrants in building stable, lawful, and fulfilling lives in their new home.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Statistics on Sexual Crimes Committed by Immigrants in Finland
A Homosexual Rape Underscores the Need for Change in Immigration Policy
Sweden's Gang Crime Recruits Children – Is It Time for the EU to Reevaluate Asylum Policies?

Finnish International Law Experts Viewed as Political Influencers by Peers

Finland, like other Western nations, is a rule-of-law state where power is based on Montesquieu’s theory of the separation of powers. According to this principle, executive, legislative, and judicial powers must be vested in separate entities. In recent years, however, Finnish lawyers have increasingly been accused, particularly by the political right, of attempting to undermine the freedom of the Finnish Parliament, which exercises legislative power.

A striking comment about this issue was made today by Jukka Savolainen, the Network Director at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. He stated that many international legal experts view their Finnish colleagues more as political influencers than as lawyers focused on the impartial administration of justice.

Specifically, Savolainen noted: "Next week, I’ll be hosting a symposium with seven professors of international law, and the majority of them have expressed surprise at the emergence of Finnish international law experts. They’ve wondered whether these experts are just poor legal scholars. Then they’ve concluded, no, they’re political influencers."

Left-leaning legal scholars have particularly criticized the return law passed last year to counter Russia’s hybrid warfare. This law allowed Finland to close its eastern border, effectively halting the flow of asylum seekers facilitated by Russia. The legislative amendment was enacted despite opposition from these scholars and successfully stopped the influx of migrants across Finland’s eastern border.

According to Savolainen, the emergency law was enacted in accordance with proper legislative procedures. He also emphasized that Finland is a sovereign state that can choose its commitments and withdraw from them as it sees fit. Additionally, he noted that Russia’s modern warfare doctrine explicitly mentions directing migration waves toward targeted countries as a method of state destabilization, providing both theoretical and factual justification for the law.

Regrettably, I doubt that even the criticisms I have discussed here will have any effect on left-leaning Finnish legal scholars, whose leading figure is Martin Scheinin. Scheinin, a former member of the UN Human Rights Committee and also once involved in Finland’s Communist Party, has shown no respect for the separation of powers whenever it has conflicted with his own ambitions. This trend is evident throughout his career.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Defending National Security: Finland's Response to Hybrid Warfare
Finland to Tighten Asylum Legislation and Reduce Undocumented Residents
Putin's useful idiots in Finland

Finland Detains Russia-Linked Ship Suspected of Cable Damage

Finnish authorities have detained a ship Eagle S registered in the Cook Islands, suspected of damaging the cable between Finland and Estonia. The vessel was found to be carrying approximately 35,000 tons of unleaded gasoline imported from Russia, suggesting an attempt to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia.

Finland has seized the oil, ensuring it will not reach the global market or contribute to funding Putin's war in Ukraine. This is, of course, an excellent outcome.

Finnish authorities have also gathered evidence indicating that the vessel was responsible for the cable damage. One piece of evidence is visible even from outside the ship: one of its anchors is missing, a clear sign that it was lost during the incident.

The police have already identified several members of the crew as suspects in the criminal acts. These include citizens of Georgia and India, who are being investigated for aggravated property destruction and serious violations of sanctions. Furthermore, additional evidence linking the ship to the cable damage has been uncovered, and more is likely to emerge.

The case is undoubtedly a major embarrassment for Vladimir Putin and his administration. For this reason, it was amusing to note Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov's claim that the actions of Finnish authorities have no connection to Russia. His response is reminiscent of a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar—his frustration is, to say the least, palpable.

It remains to be seen how the issue will ultimately be resolved. However, it is already clear that international law and regulations need updating to rein in rogue states like Russia on the high seas. Unfortunately, the interests of a few other countries, in addition to Russia, are likely to block such progress, making meaningful change highly improbable.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Downing of the Azerbaijani Plane Is a War Crime That Must Be Condemned
Western Nations Should Act Decisively On Two Fronts Against Russia
Western Countries Must Stay United Against the Russian Threat

10% of Foreign Students in Finland Failed to Meet Residence Requirements

A large number of students from developing countries arrive in Finland. Previously, there was little oversight, which led to many individuals arriving as students who lacked the necessary qualifications or preparedness for studies.

To address this, a legislative amendment came into effect at the beginning of last September. Since then, the Finnish Immigration Service has started monitoring whether the criteria for residence permits granted on the basis of studies are being met—in other words, whether these individuals are genuinely studying.

So far, the Finnish Immigration Service has reviewed the residence permits of 5,795 students. This process uncovered as many as 558 cases where there was reason to suspect that the legal grounds for their residence were no longer valid. In other words, nearly ten percent of the students who came to Finland based on study permits were engaged in activities other than studying.

Presumably, these students will be deported unless they can provide an acceptable reason to counter the Immigration Service's determination that they no longer have the right to reside in Finland on the basis of studies. Under the new law, they are also not allowed to change the grounds for their residence, such as switching to a work-based residence permit.

This is an example of how Finland’s current government has rationalized immigration policy. At the same time, it fulfills the election promises made by the Finns Party, which gained significant support in the spring 2023 elections and joined the government. In other words, it demonstrates the functioning of Finnish democracy.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Information for Asylum Seekers in Finland
University of Helsinki gained an anti-Semitic reputation
International Master´s degree is an opportunity to be used

Information for Asylum Seekers in Finland

Since the beginning of September, Finnish border control authorities have been able to direct asylum seekers from the country's external border to a border procedure. In this process, the border control authority registers the asylum seeker’s application and records their fingerprints, signature, and photograph.

Afterward, the applicant is directed to a reception center or a detention facility, and they are not allowed to leave the premises until a decision on the asylum application has been made. If the grounds for the application indicate that there is no need for further processing, the application may be rejected or processed in an expedited procedure, after which the applicant must leave the country.

The Finnish government is currently preparing also a legislative amendment concerning the reception of those seeking international protection, as well as the identification and assistance of victims of human trafficking. Once it comes into effect, the reception allowance will be reduced to the minimum allowed by the Constitution and the Reception Directive.

With these decisions, Finland is aligning its humanitarian immigration policy to better fulfill its purpose—ensuring the rights of those in genuine need while preventing the settlement of people who arrive due to economic or social security reasons, or as a result of hybrid influence by foreign powers.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Sweden's Gang Crime Recruits Children – Is It Time for the EU to Reevaluate Asylum Policies?
Mass immigration is the greatest concern for EU youth
Getting asylum in Finland becomes significantly more difficult

Finland to Tighten Asylum Legislation and Reduce Undocumented Residents

Finland is modifying its asylum legislation. One of the new changes will be the restriction of the right to appeal a negative decision.

This change is necessary because, until now, it has been possible in Finland to remain without asylum rights by making new asylum applications. Thus, people from safe conditions who have come to the country for social security reasons have been able to stay in the country for years.

The new legislative amendment will take into account the means provided by the new European Reception Directive, thereby reducing the number of undocumented residents. At the same time, the amount of reception money offered to them will be reduced to a minimum, so Finland's attractiveness is expected to decrease significantly among people from developing countries seeking to enter Western countries on false grounds.

This way, dishonest asylum applications can be reduced, thereby speeding up the processing times of applications from those genuinely in need of personal protection. It will also reduce the costs of asylum seeking for Finnish taxpayers.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Getting asylum in Finland becomes significantly more difficult
The Finnish forest is life-threatening to asylum-seekers
A new wave of asylum seekers

Swedish-Somali Offspring, Penalties, and Our Country's Attractiveness Factors

In Finland yesterday, severe sentences were handed down to a large group of individuals guilty of organized crime. According to a report by the National Broadcasting Company Yle, Nassar Abdouraman Moussa received 10 years in prison, Zakaria Said Mohamed 10 years in prison, Hassan Abdulkadir Mohammed 10 years in prison, Mohamed Abdulkadir Okashe 10 years in prison, Farhaan Mohamed Omar 10 years in prison, Mazen Omer 10 years in prison, Abdiwahab Abdirahman Shekul 9 years in prison, Arlind Sokoli 9 years in prison, and Subeir Abdi Qalib 6 years and 6 months in prison. Additionally, the court sentenced a total of 13 individuals to less than six years. One person received a fine, and charges against three individuals were dismissed.

As my esteemed reader might have already noticed from the list of names I copied above, the convicted organized drug dealer group is a result of Nordic immigration policy and its Somali offspring. And that the individuals now convicted have ended up committing crimes in our country as a consequence of the deliberate decisions made by previous governments in Finland - and also in Sweden.

* * *

Another current consequence of the immigration policy practiced is the crime committed by street gangs, which could be described as the terrorizing of others—most often young people. Its occurrence in Finland is also due to the deliberate decisions made by politicians who previously led our country.

Fortunately, the current government, led by Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party), has prepared a proposal under the leadership of Minister of the Interior Leena Meri (Finns Party), which includes harsher penalties for street gang activities, humiliating victims, and using individuals under the age of 15 in committing crimes. The proposal has been completed and is now going for expert review.

It is to be hoped that the expert reviews will identify all such factors that could weaken the effectiveness of the proposed law change on street gang activities. And that these will be corrected, and the new legislation will come into force as quickly as possible.

* * *

The third current issue relates to reducing the reception allowance paid to immigrants and changing international protection to be temporary. These reforms are also well advanced and are only awaiting approval in Parliament.

Although the amount of the reception allowance or changing protection to be temporary is not directly related to criminals or crime, once implemented, they can be expected to reduce Finland's attractiveness to immigrants seeking better living standards or social security. Thus, over time, it will significantly reduce the number of potential immigrant criminals in the country.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Immigration issue
The stabbing of the 12-year-old led to political revelry among the left in Finland
Getting asylum in Finland becomes significantly more difficult

History of Finland V: The pursuit of economic profit saved the country

This blog post is the fifth installment of a series that delves into the significant phases of Finnish history. In the previous post, I discussed how the ascendancy of the highest aristocracy led to the deterioration of living conditions for the common people.

However, this trend eventually came to a halt through a transformative process that culminated in the triumph of the official aristocracy over the highest aristocracy. The catalyst behind this shift was the economic collapse of the great power.

The recruitment of military personnel faced hindrances due to the landed estates owned by the upper nobility. These estates posed obstacles to enlisting individuals from their own ranks into military service. Moreover, the state lacked sufficient funds to pay its officials, as a significant portion of the income generated from land ownership predominantly benefited the upper nobility. To illustrate the magnitude of this disparity, consider the fact that Count Magnus de la Gardie's annual income in 1679 amounted to approximately five percent of Sweden's entire revenue and expenditure budget.

The conflicts of the late 1600s, which relied on France's assistance to maintain Sweden's great power status, played a crucial role in driving forward societal development. The noble-dominated council of state was held responsible for the situation and was compelled to cede its authority to King Charles XI, who implemented the decision of the Estates to reclaim the landed property in order to rescue the state from bankruptcy. As a result, former landowners were left with a mere tenth of their previous tax-exempt fiefs.

In practice, power became concentrated in the hands of a single individual, as the king possessed the right to pose questions to the Council of State, but the council lacked the authority to advise the monarch unless specifically solicited. This effectively dismantled the most potent tool of aristocratic governance with a single decree. To ensure the success of this transition, a law was passed a few years later in 1682, affirming that legislative power resided solely with the king.

Of particular significance to us Finns in this progression was the nearly unanimous support of our representatives in the Estates, including the nobility, for the king's absolute power, which placed them in opposition to the Swedish nobility. It is possible that it was during this time that the Finnish people's subsequent yearning for a strong monarchy, their belief in the righteousness of the Tsar, and ultimately the potent authority of the independent country's president originated.

Alongside the establishment of absolute monarchy in the late 1600s, there were additional significant developments. The administration of justice underwent a redirection towards the "law of nature", which was widely viewed as being largely consistent with the traditional Swedish law.

Previously, the nobility had exploited the flexibility of the old Swedish law, particularly drawing upon interpretations rooted in Roman law, enabling them to interpret it according to their own discretion. The recruitment of military personnel transitioned to a more stable conscription system, and civil servants' salaries were secured through the use of designated official positions.

Following the defeat of young King Charles XII in the Great Northern War, and ultimately his demise, the influence of the civil service serving the state did not waver. On the contrary, it continued to exert its power while the king lost much of his own authority. The Estates Assembly became the instrument through which the civil-service nobility wielded their power.

A notable change in public administration was the shift from hereditary status to formal education and other qualifications as the basis for filling positions. Furthermore, social changes enabled a commoner to marry a noblewoman without her family having the ability to disinherit her—an aspect not to be overlooked.

Simultaneously, Sweden's mercantilist policy also suffered a collapse. In this regard, the country followed a trajectory akin to the pre-capitalist development observed in England and the Netherlands, where exportation became an increasingly vital driving force. Sweden's primary export commodities included iron, copper, timber, and tar.

As a result, decisions and practices were instituted that favored the protection of private property rights, the freedom to engage in contractual agreements, the application of rationality in legal proceedings, and enhanced autonomy for citizens. The driving force behind this progression was particularly the pursuit of profit, which stemmed from the recognition and enforcement of private property rights.

For Finland and its people, these changes marked a gradual improvement in the status of the (lower) nobility, bourgeoisie, and peasants, filling the void left by the upper nobility. However, this transformation faced further challenges during the subsequent period of the Great Famine and the Great Northern War, which represented the lowest point for the upper nobility. The ascent of the eastern regions within the Swedish kingdom also became apparent through the emergence of notable Finnish figures who achieved prominence.

Notable examples include Fabian Wrede, a member of the lower nobility from Elimäki, who rose to become the chairman of the Reduction Commission, and Heikki Vaanila, a peasant estate owner from Lohja, who assumed leadership of the peasant estate in the Estates of the Realm. These Finnish individuals found themselves at the core of the kingdom's power structure, serving as compelling illustrations of Finland's growing influence within the realm.

The original blog post in Finnish: Voiton tavoittelu pelasti maan

All the blog posts in this series:
History of Finland I: How did Finland become culturally part of the West?
History of Finland II: From a hinterland of the Union into a modern state
History of Finland III: The legal and economic weakening of the position of the people
History of Finland IV: The bleakest time in Finnish history
History of Finland V: The pursuit of economic profit saved the country
History of Finland VI: Age of freedom and utility
History of Finland VII: The dictator of the era of Enlightenment promoted capitalist economy
History of Finland VIII: Joining of Finland to Russia led to an increase in crime
History of Finland IX: Enlightended dictator initiated economic growth
History of Finland X: The birth of Finnish identity
History of Finland XI: Finnish democracy and gender equality for women
History of Finland XII: Bloody civil war
History of Finland XIII: The far-right's rebellion
History of Finland XIV: The end of the first Finnish Republic
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine
History of Finland XVI: Through rise and fall to a new kind of future