# UK bans Finnish politicians; Räsänen appeals

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-bans-finnish-politicians-over-hatespeech-convictions
> Updated: 2026-08-17T05:03:08.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 4.

In early July 2026, the United Kingdom barred Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen from entering the country using the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The UK Home Office cited rules regarding individuals who have committed offences causing serious harm. Tynkkynen was stopped hours before a flight to a CPAC event in London, with officials stating his presence would not serve the public interest. Räsänen’s ETA was revoked, forcing her to reroute via Dallas and preventing her from speaking at a Northern Ireland Assembly session and a missionary conference. International religious-freedom groups criticized the decision, describing it as a “gross miscarriage of justice.”

On 24 July 2026, Räsänen lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights, contesting a Finnish Supreme Court conviction that deemed a religious booklet on marriage hate speech. She argues the ruling breaches her freedoms of expression and religion under the European Convention on Human Rights. The conviction, which resulted in a €1,800 fine, also affected Bishop Juhana Pohjola and the Luther Foundation Finland. The Supreme Court ordered that the statements in the booklet be removed from public access and destroyed.

While Räsänen seeks a UK visa to participate in a religious freedom conference virtually or in person, the case continues to highlight the UK’s use of entry-screening rules to bar foreign officials and the subsequent legal challenges regarding fundamental rights in Europe.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen appeals hate speech conviction

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen is appealing a Supreme Court hate speech conviction to the European Court of Human Rights after her UK travel authorization was cancelled.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finnish-mp-pivi-rsnen-appeals-hate-speech-conviction

### 2026-07-23: Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen Appeals Hate‑Speech Conviction to European Court of Human Rights

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, convicted of hate speech over a biblical marriage booklet, has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights and faces a UK travel ban after her conviction halted an upcoming speaking

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finnish-mp-pivi-rsnen-appeals-hatespeech-conviction-to-european-court-of-human-rights-1

### 2026-07-14: Finnish MPs barred from entering the UK

The UK has barred Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen and MP Päivi Räsänen from entry via the ETA system after their hate‑speech convictions, sparking free‑speech concerns.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-bars-finnish-mps-pivi-rsnen-and-sebastian-tynkkynen-over-hatespeech-convictions

### 2026-07-12: Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen Barred from UK Transit Over Hate‑Speech Conviction

The UK denied visa and transit rights to Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen after her Finnish hate‑speech conviction, citing entry rules for serious offences.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finnish-mp-pivi-rsnen-barred-from-uk-transit-over-hatespeech-conviction

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Cite as: UK bans Finnish politicians; Räsänen appeals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-bans-finnish-politicians-over-hatespeech-convictions