Trade Union JHL

Don’t look away – JHL takes part in a statement against hate speech

The statement urges decision makers to think carefully what kind of example they set for children and youth. Looking away from hate speech is not acceptable. Both words and actions need to be countered.

We are one of the signatories of the Don’t look away statement against hate speech. This statement by the Central Union for Child Welfare was sent to the Finnish MPs on Monday 9 September. Those who take part in this statement want to appeal to decision makers that they would not look away from hate speech.

What is hate speech?

Hate speech is communication that incites hatred against an individual or a group. It can be connected for example to colour, origin, religion or conviction, sexual orientation, gender expression or disability. It can be a verbal insult or for example a writing or a picture.

Children and youth encounter a lot of hate speech

Hate speech, discrimination and racism are common in Finland. Children and youth face discrimination and hate speech for example in school, leisure time, public transport and social media.

Often the young do not tell the grown-ups about the hate speech that they encounter, but research data speaks for itself:

  • 29% of students in the 8th and 9th grades have experienced discriminatory bullying for their appearance, gender, colour, language, disability, family or religion. The School Health Promotion study 2021
  • 68% of young people in Finland have encountered online messages which they considered to be hostile or degrading towards groups of people or individuals. Eurostat 2023
  • 60% of people in Finland who belong to sexual or gender minorities have suffered bullying, ridicule, teasing, insults or threats in school because of their identity. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights 2024
  • 63% of survey respondents who are of African descent and resident in Finland have experienced racial discrimination. EU Agency for Fundamental Rights 2023
The Finnish Government’s anti-racism campaign is a disgraceful cover-up attempt – Trade Union JHL cancels its participation

Hate speech must be addressed firmly, each and every time

We all need to do our part in weeding out hate speech, but decision makers have a special responsibility in this regard. They decide on matters for all of us and are prominent in public discourse.

The statement demands that those who are in decision-making positions in our society should think carefully what kind of example they set for children and youth. Children and young people follow what the adults do and learn to act and speak in the same way.

Looking away is also not permitted when the person who speaks in a discriminatory manner is for example a member of the same party or a government coalition partner. Appropriate and respectful behaviour must be required consistently from absolutely everyone.