A prominent Finn who was convicted on hate-crimes charges in March, because she expressed support for biblical teaching on homosexuality in a 2004 pamphlet, appealed her conviction to the European Court of Human Rights.
Päivi Räsänen, a member of Parliament since 1995 and the nation’s former interior minister (2011-2015), was convicted by the nation’s Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision, along with Juhana Pohjola, a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland.
“My case stands to determine whether the fundamental rights of religious freedom and free speech are still protected in Finland and across Europe, and whether these societies are still willing to stand up for the rights of all—even those they disagree with,” said Räsänen.
Last month, the United Kingdom cancelled Räsänen’s travel authorization, leaving her unable to travel to Belfast to address a free-speech conference.