Webinar #211 Dr Päivi Räsänen - Fighting for Religious Freedom in Finland

Recorded on 15 August 2024 for ICMDA Webinars. Dr Felicia Wong chairs a webinar with Dr Päivi Räsänen Finland has a good reputation regarding free speech internationally and long, historical roots in the Christian confession. It is paradoxical that in this country Päivi has been criminally charged for voicing her deeply held beliefs about marriage and gender that are based on classical Christianity. This means that the same is possible in any country. The legal process against Päivi started in 2019. She has been in court twice. The Helsinki District Court and last year the Appellate Court issued unanimous acquittals, but the Prosecutor General appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. She is ready to defend freedom of speech and faith, including the European court of Human rights if necessary. Päivi Räsänen is a medical doctor and has been a Member of the Finnish Parliament for 29 years. From 2004 to 2015, she was the chairwoman of the Finnish Christian Democrats. From June 2011 to May 2015, she was the Minister of the Interior of Finland. She lives in Riihimäki with her husband. They have 5 children and 12 grandchildren. She has written several books from a Christian perspective, for example on marriage, abortion and euthanasia. During this term, Päivi is a member of the Social Affairs and Health Committee and a deputy member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To listen live to future ICMDA webinars visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://icmda.net/resources/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠