HC upholds ban on neofascist movement in Finland

An appeals court on Friday approved the decision to ban the Nordic Resistance Movement ((Finnish acronym PVL).

The appeals court in Turku dismissed the movement's appeal on the decision by a court in Tampere area last November to ban the movement considering it to be a neofascist organization.

The appeals court agreed with the lower court decision that the activities of the Resistance Movement are in contravention of law, good manners, and public interest.

It noted in its decision that the movement has pursued racial discrimination and hatred speech, and its activities cannot be considered to be normal criticism of the immigrant policies within the limit of the freedom of speech.

National police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen told national broadcaster Yle that the decision means activities of the movement are illegal and have to be stopped when the appeals court decision is legally valid.

Yle reported that the movement has around 100 members. The appeals court decision concerns also an auxiliary organization and district groups.