United Kingdom bars Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen from entry

The United Kingdom has barred Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen from entering the country, preventing her from attending a conference on religious freedom and free speech in Northern Ireland. Although she was initially granted an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in June, the authorization was subsequently revoked.

The decision follows a conviction by Finland’s Supreme Court regarding statements Räsänen made in a 2004 publication concerning marriage and sexuality. The court ruled that her descriptions of homosexuality as a ‘sexual deviation’ and an ‘aberration’ were derogatory toward homosexual individuals.

Räsänen, a former Finnish Minister of the Interior, attempted to apply for a full visa and personally contacted the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to request intervention. However, authorities indicated she would not receive a response in time for the scheduled events, forcing her to participate in the conference virtually.