The battle for freedom of speech and religion continues at…

PRESS RELEASE 7 May 2026 Päivi Räsänen: The battle for freedom of speech and religion continues at the European Court of Human Rights

I will appeal the judgement of the Supreme Court of Finland to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). I trust that the ECtHR will recognize the need to safeguard freedom of speech and religion in Finland and across Europe. I hope that in Strasbourg it will be acknowledged that the peaceful expression of convictions is not a crime, and that the Court will affirm everyone’s right to express their views without fear of state censorship.

My writings and views may be freely opposed and criticized, but labeling opinions as crimes seriously restricts freedom of expression.

On 26 March 2026, the Supreme Court convicted me and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland of incitement against a group of people. The 2004 pamphlet Male and Female He Created Them was ordered to be partially censored, and its publication in its current form was prohibited, which is highly exceptional and unprecedented in Finland. My tweet addressed to the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had declared its support for a Pride event and referred to Chapter 1 of the Epistle to the Romans, was deemed lawful.

The Supreme Court itself stated that the pamphlet did not incite violence or threaten hostility but nevertheless considered it to be “insulting to homosexuals as a group.” According to the Court, the actions of Bishop Juhana Pohjola and me met the criteria for incitement against a group. I disagree with this judgement.

The Court justified the fulfillment of the elements of the offense by claiming that I regard homosexuals as inferior. This is not true. In the pamphlet, I have repeatedly stated that all people are equal and of equal value.

The ruling does not clarify the boundaries of freedom of expression. The Supreme Court ruled 3–2, contrary to the opinion of the court rapporteur. It is now increasingly difficult to determine what constitutes lawful and unlawful speech. In total, 12 judges across three levels of courts have been involved in deciding this case, and nine of them did not see anything criminal in the pamphlet. This demonstrates the lack of clarity in the legal situation and the arbitrariness of interpretations.

The Supreme Court’s decision also interferes with the right to express a Christian view of humanity. My writings do not arise from hatred, but from compassion and the aim of encouraging church communities toward openness and love of neighbor, including toward minorities.

I have served as a Member of Parliament for 31 years, I am a medical doctor, and a grandmother of twelve grandchildren. For seven years, I have been the subject of criminal proceedings because I have expressed a Christian view of marriage and sexuality. This process has attracted widespread international attention and concern about how vaguely formulated “hate speech laws” can restrict freedom of expression and religion. The prolonged series of police investigations and court proceedings alone has silenced discussion on important and current issues.

I hope that the Court will send a clear message that no one should be subjected to a similar criminal process. Peaceful discussion must not be labeled a crime.

I am grateful to God, to my wonderful legal team and ADF International, as well as to everyone who has supported me. From the very beginning, I have said that I will stand by my conviction rooted in a Christian worldview based on the Bible and by my right to express it freely, regardless of the consequences. I still do not believe that I have committed anything unlawful in my writings. I will continue the fight for freedom of speech and religion with a calm mind and confidence.

Further information and interview requests:

Päivi Räsänen Member of Parliament +358 50 511 3065 paivi.rasanen@eduskunta.fi

Ossi Lehtihuhta Parliamentary Assistant +358 50 563 3547 ossi.lehtihuhta@eduskunta.fi