All parliamentary parties condemn terrorism, hate speech

The leaders of all the parliamentary parties in the country sat together at the Prime Minister's official residence Kesäranta on Wednesday and discussed the law and order situation of the country.

The leaders issued a joint statement urging the country people to show respect to law and not to blame the innocent people, said an official press release.

“We have had a constructive discussion and have consequently updated our situation awareness of internal security and concerns of citizens. We appeal to the Finnish people and ask them to hold to facts and keep the discussion civil and respectful. Blame must not be placed on innocent people,” said the statement signed by the Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, also leader of the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) and the leaders of other parliamentary parties.

The leaders vowed to continue their trust and confidence in the Finnish rule of law and the actions of authorities and committed to constantly improving them.

“We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and violence of any kind. We also strongly condemn hate speech,” said the statement, adding that in the capacity of representatives of their parties, pledge to build a safer and more united Finland and to discuss these efforts regularly together.

The other signatories of the statement were Petteri Orpo, Chair of the the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP), Sampo Terho, Chair of the newly formed Sininen tulevaisuus (Blue Reform), Antti Rinne leader of the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Laura Huhtasaari Deputy Chair of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), Touko Aalto, Chair of the Vihreä Liitö (Green League) , Li Andersson, Chair of the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance), Anna-Maja Henriksson, Chair of the Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) and Sari Essayah, Chair of the Suomen Kristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland) .