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The Finnish government has just announced a plan to combat racism, which includes a ban on denying the Holocaust.
This decision comes after the Finnish cabinet was rocked twice by scandals related to racism. Under the newly proposed plan, the government will ban the denial of the Holocaust during World War II and consider banning the use of Nazi symbols.
The move comes after Finance Minister Riikka Purra and leader of the Finns Party apologized for racist comments on social media. These comments included anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and racist views, as well as threats of violence.
Last June, Vilhelm Junnila, the Minister of Economy , resigned just 10 days after his appointment due to remarks related to Nazism. These two scandals have fueled tensions within the ruling coalition.
Racism has long been a pressing issue in Finland. Recently, four individuals with far-right extremist views were charged in connection with a plot to carry out terrorist attacks targeting minority groups, aiming to instigate ethnic conflict.
According to observers, the plan shows that the Finnish government is making every effort in this relentless fight. Along with Finland, several European countries have resolutely pursued the elimination of racism. In early 2023, the French government approved a four-year plan to combat racism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of discrimination.
The plan allows victims of racism and discrimination to file anonymous complaints and increases penalties for individuals accused of discrimination. In Germany, the government has also established an anti-racism agency to promote racial diversity in public sectors.
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