Finnish Lawmaker Denied UK Entry After ‘Hate Speech’ Conviction
A prominent Finnish lawmaker, Päivi Räsänen, has reported that her permission to enter the United Kingdom was revoked following a recent conviction for “hate speech.” The ruling, which stemmed from her public expression of biblical views on marriage and sexuality, has ignited fresh concerns among religious freedom advocates regarding the potential repercussions of such legal decisions.
UK Travel Authorization Canceled
Räsänen, a member of Finland’s Parliament and a former interior minister, stated that her previously granted U.K. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was canceled without a clear explanation. This development has disrupted her plans to participate in speaking engagements in Northern Ireland scheduled for the upcoming month. She is currently in the process of appealing her conviction to the European Court of Human Rights.
Sharing a screenshot of the cancellation notice, Räsänen detailed the process. “I tried to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from the United Kingdom authorities because of my future travels to UK,” she explained. “As part of the application process, I was asked to disclose any criminal convictions within the past 12 months. At first, I got a positive answer on 17th June, but on 3rd July I got a shocking message from GOV.UK that my application was cancelled, ‘The information you provided in your ETA application suggests that you are not eligible for an ETA and it has been cancelled.’”
Background of the Conviction
The legal challenges against Räsänen began in 2019 when she publicly questioned her church’s support for an LGBT event. Her criticism, shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), included a reference to a passage from the biblical book of Romans. Finnish prosecutors subsequently charged her with “agitation against a minority group,” citing this social media post, a 2004 church pamphlet discussing marriage and sexuality, and remarks made during a 2019 radio interview.
The Supreme Court of Finland ultimately convicted Räsänen on March 26, 2026, by a narrow 3-2 majority. The conviction pertained to statements made in her 2004 booklet titled, “Male and Female He Created Them.” She was fined an amount equivalent to 20 days’ wages. Räsänen contends that the legal proceedings failed to adequately consider her rights to free speech and religious freedom as protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and plans to pursue her case at the European Court of Human Rights.
Impact on Travel and Free Speech Concerns
Räsänen had intended to travel to Northern Ireland in August to address the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention on the subjects of free speech and faith. The cancellation of her ETA has already necessitated adjustments to her travel itinerary, forcing her to reroute a recent journey from California through Dallas instead of connecting via London Heathrow Airport.
Beyond her personal travel, Räsänen expressed broader concerns about the implications of the ruling. “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 faith in a peaceful manner, and about where the line lies between lawful and prohibited speech,” she stated. She also noted that Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who was convicted alongside her for publishing her booklet, has also been denied a U.K. ETA.
Despite these challenges, Räsänen conveyed a sense of faith and resilience. “However, I trust that all of this is in God’s hands, and I pray that He leads and guides in the way He wills. During these seven years, I have witnessed how the Lord miraculously turns evil things into good,” she remarked.
Longstanding UK Ties and Official Response
Räsänen highlighted her extensive history of engagement with the United Kingdom, including her work within parliamentary circles, participation in the Finland–United Kingdom friendship group, and previous visits in official capacities as both a member of Parliament and Finland’s interior minister. She currently serves on Finland’s Foreign Affairs Committee, represents Finland at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and sits on the board of its Inter-Parliamentary Union group.
She has reportedly contacted the U.K. Home Office and written to Shabana Mahmood, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, seeking clarification and a response, but has not yet received one.
Advocacy Group’s Statement
Lorcan Price, a senior legal counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, which has been representing Räsänen, criticized the U.K. government’s action. “The refusal of a travel authorization for Päivi Räsänen is the latest example of the United Kingdom government’s authoritarian attempt to suppress any speech or speaker they disagree with,” Price stated. He added, “The fact that Päivi was due to address a conference on the theme of religious freedom makes this all the more ironic and outrageous. The UK government has shown contempt for freedom of expression, and this is just the latest example.”
The U.K. Home Office was approached for comment regarding the matter.
