Christian MP Päivi Räsänen denied right to travel to UK: 'Restricting freedom of expression'
Päivi Räsänen, the politician convicted in Finland for having traditional Christian views on marriage and sexuality, says her electronic travel authorization (ETA) for the U.K. has been canceled.
The former Finnish Minister of the Interior said her application for an ETA was initially successful, but she later received a notification informing her that it had been canceled.
ETAs are required for travelers who don't have a visa and need to pass through U.K. border control upon arrival in the country — including transits if they leave the secure area to change terminals or collect luggage.
Räsänen said she wasn't given any explanation for the cancellation of her ETA and that it has thrown into doubt her plans to travel to Northern Ireland next month. The 66-year-old is due to visit the country in August to speak at a conference and visit the Parliament. She no longer knows if this trip will be possible.
The impact of her canceled ETA is already being felt in other ways. Last week, returning from a conference in California, she scrapped plans to transit through Heathrow, choosing instead to fly via Dallas in order to avoid any problems passing through the U.K.
The cancellation of her ETA comes just months after the Finnish Supreme Court found Räsänen guilty of “hate speech” over statements expressing biblical views on marriage and sexuality in a pamphlet she wrote in 2004.
She was also convicted of "making and keeping available to the public a text that insults a group."
Commenting on the cancellation of her ETA, Räsänen said, "The Supreme Court’s closely divided ruling has had unexpected consequences. In addition to restricting freedom of expression, it has also created restrictions and difficulties related to travel and participation in meetings and conferences.
"My greatest concern is that this decision has left many people with uncertainty, confusion and fear about the consequences of exercising their freedom of speech and religion in a peaceful manner, and about where the line lies between lawful and prohibited speech."
She is not alone in being refused an ETA by the U.K. Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who was convicted alongside her in the "hate speech" case, has also been denied the travel authorization.
Bishop Pohjola said a notification informing him of the decision on June 16 stated: "We are satisfied that you have been convicted of a criminal offense in the U.K. or overseas within the last 12 months."
The notification also said he cannot appeal this decision or travel to the U.K. without a visa.
He said he was "surprised" by the U.K.'s decision, adding that the "hate speech" conviction was having "practical" consequences far beyond Finland.
"This not only causes practical difficulties to serve as bishop in my church body and as chairman of the International Lutheran Council, but it also labels me as a criminal whom many countries want to prevent from entering," he said.
Christian author Rod Dreher, who was at the California conference with Räsänen, criticized the U.K.'s actions: "The progressive bureaucratic order in European countries would rather attack faithful Christians as Enemies Of Society than deal with the actual problems they have.
"We can expect more of this. It’s a Finnish Lutheran lawmaker and grandmother today; it could easily be you tomorrow."
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
