UK travel restrictions on Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen

The United Kingdom initially barred Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen from entering the country, revoking her Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This decision followed a conviction by Finland’s Supreme Court regarding Räsänen’s 2004 statements on marriage and sexuality, which the court ruled were derogatory toward homosexual individuals.

The restriction prevented Räsänen from attending the ‘Faith, Freedom and the Future’ event in Northern Ireland in person. Although she sought intervention from the UK Home Secretary, authorities indicated she would not receive a response in time for the scheduled conference.

By August 21, British officials granted Räsänen a six-month entry permit. However, the notification arrived only 45 minutes before her scheduled appearance at the Bangor Worldwide program, forcing her to deliver her speech virtually from Finland. Räsänen expressed that while the timing prevented her physical attendance, she welcomed the decision and is now permitted to travel to the UK.

Following the initial permit, it has been confirmed that the visa approval allows for travel through February 2027. Meanwhile, Räsänen is currently appealing her original hate speech conviction to the European Court of Human Rights.