Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen appeals to ECHR after conviction over a 2004 pamphlet, raising major questions on religious freedom in Europe.
Newsroom (14/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Former Finnish Interior Minister and current Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen has launched a legal challenge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), escalating a long-running case that has become a focal point in the debate over religious expression and hate speech legislation in Europe.
The appeal, announced on May 7, follows a controversial ruling by Finland’s Supreme Court, which convicted Räsänen of “incitement against a group of people.” The decision has drawn attention for its potential implications beyond Finland, raising questions about how European societies balance religious freedom with evolving legal frameworks addressing discrimination.
A decades-old pamphlet at the center
At the heart of the case is a pamphlet published in 2004, titled Male and Female He Created Them. Authored by Räsänen and distributed by the Lutheran Foundation of Finland, the document articulated a traditional Christian understanding of marriage and described homosexual acts as sinful from a biblical standpoint.
On March 26, the Finnish Supreme Court found that certain phrases in the publication—particularly references to homosexuality as a “disorder”—constituted insulting language toward a group, thereby breaching the law. The ruling imposed fines of €1,800 on Räsänen, €1,100 on Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, and €5,000 on the foundation. It also ordered the removal of sections deemed unlawful from the online version of the pamphlet.
Pohjola had been charged for hosting the document on his church’s website.
The court determined that the religious context of the statements did not diminish their impact; rather, it intensified their potential to offend. However, it notably did not challenge theological assertions about homosexuality as sin. Critics of the ruling have emphasized that the case was categorized under a section of the Finnish penal code addressing “War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity,” a classification that has amplified concerns over proportionality.
A divided legal process
The conviction capped a complex legal journey marked by repeated acquittals. In both 2022 and 2023, lower courts dismissed all charges against Räsänen, including those linked to the pamphlet, a social media post quoting the Bible, and statements made during a 2019 radio debate.
The Supreme Court revisited the case in October 2025 following a further appeal by prosecutors. While the highest court upheld the acquittal regarding the tweet—which cited a passage from Romans to question church support for a Pride event—it reversed earlier decisions on the pamphlet.
Even then, the ruling was far from unanimous. The conviction was secured by a narrow 3–2 majority, with the presiding judge dissenting. Across all stages of the case, nine of the twelve judges who reviewed the matter found no criminal wrongdoing in the leaflet.
Adding to the controversy is the fact that no formal complaint had ever been filed about the pamphlet. According to Sean Nelson, legal adviser for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International—which is representing Räsänen—the publication only came under scrutiny during investigations triggered by a later social media post.
“A dangerous precedent”
Räsänen has criticized the ruling in strong terms, arguing that it undermines fundamental freedoms.
“The Finnish Supreme Court’s failure to protect freedom of expression has set a dangerous precedent,” she said. She rejected the notion that her writings were motivated by hostility, stating instead that they were rooted in “compassion” and a desire to encourage openness within church communities.
Maintaining her innocence, Räsänen expressed confidence that the European Court of Human Rights would ultimately vindicate her position. “The peaceful expression of beliefs is not a crime,” she said, warning that hate speech laws could increasingly be used to restrict the public expression of religious convictions.
Broader implications for Europe
Bishop Juhana Pohjola has joined the appeal, voicing concern about what he described as growing state involvement in defining acceptable religious teaching. He warned that such actions risk setting limits on what faith leaders can communicate within their own communities.
Legal observers say the case could become a landmark for Europe. Lorcán Price, a lawyer with ADF International, characterized it as one of the “most threatening developments” for freedom of expression on the continent.
The proceedings before the Strasbourg-based ECHR will examine whether Finland’s ruling aligns with protections for freedom of religion and expression under the European Convention on Human Rights. The court’s eventual decision could shape how similar cases are handled across Europe, particularly as governments grapple with the boundaries between protecting minority groups and preserving open discourse.
A pivotal test case
For Räsänen, the appeal represents the culmination of years of legal battles and personal scrutiny. For Europe, it may serve as a decisive test of how liberal democracies reconcile deeply held religious beliefs with laws designed to protect against discrimination.
As the case moves to Strasbourg, its outcome is expected to resonate far beyond Finland, potentially influencing legal standards and public debate across the continent.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infocatholica
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