Päivi Räsänen says the loss of her UK travel authorization is the latest consequence of a controversial court ruling over her Christian views on marriage and sexuality.
By Zolta Győri
Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen says she has been banned from traveling to the UK after British authorities revoked her electronic travel authorization (ETA), despite it having initially been approved.
The former Finnish interior minister and physician was convicted earlier this year by Finland's Supreme Court on a hate speech charge relating to her public statements on marriage and sexuality, which reflected her Christian beliefs and included biblical teaching.
According to Räsänen, the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling have extended beyond restrictions on free expression, affecting her ability to travel and participate in meetings and conferences. She also expressed concern that the ruling has left many people uncertain about whether peacefully expressing their religious beliefs could expose them to legal consequences.
Travel authorization has also reportedly been denied to Juhana Pohjola, the Lutheran bishop who co-defended the case after publishing one of Räsänen's church pamphlets.
In a closely divided 3-2 ruling issued on March 26th, Finland's Supreme Court found Räsänen guilty of hate speech while unanimously acquitting her on a separate charge related to a 2019 social media post quoting a Bible verse.
Räsänen was first investigated in 2019 after criticizing her church's support for an LGBTQ event by posting a Bible passage on social media. She was later charged in 2021 with "agitation against a minority group."
Evangelist Franklin Graham urged Christians to pray for Räsänen following news of the revoked travel authorization.
"It's hard to believe that Finnish Member of Parliament and Christian Päivi Räsänen has been banned from flying through London's Heathrow Airport simply for her belief on Biblical sexuality," Graham wrote. He said she had faced years of legal action in Finland for quoting biblical passages on homosexuality and encouraged supporters to pray for her as she continues to stand by her beliefs.
Christian author Rod Dreher also criticized the decision, arguing that European bureaucracies increasingly target Christians rather than addressing more pressing societal problems.
In his post, Graham also quoted Dreher's warning: "We can expect more of this. It's a Finnish Lutheran lawmaker and grandmother today; it could easily be you tomorrow."
Original article: europeanconservative.com