Finland’s Persecution of African Dissidents Betrays its Top Freedom Ranking



Freedom House ranks Finland as the world’s freest country. It is one reason why Finland has become the destination of choice not only for Ukrainians but also for dissidents from farther abroad seeking asylum from the world’s worst dictators in Turkey, Iran, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Traditionally the Finnish government does immigration right. It publishes strict protocols and holds applicants accountable, rejecting those who approach immigration officers with false or exaggerated claims.

If only the Finnish judiciary were as diligent. In two recent cases, Finland’s judiciary and perhaps its foreign ministry and politicians have allowed scammers and human rights abusers to weaponize its judiciary as a mechanism for transnational repression and harassment.

Consider the case of Gibril Massaquoi, for example. A former Sierra Leone civil war-era commander, Massaquoi became an important resource for the Special Court for Sierra Leone as it prosecuted war crimes in the West African state. His efforts directly led to several convictions. As the court wound down, Massaquoi sought asylum in Finland. The controversial Swiss NGO Civitas Maxima raised funds as it targeted Massaquoi, leading Finland to arrest him. The problem? Civitas Maxima’s own witnesses acknowledged Civitas Maxima paid witnesses to say they personally saw Massaquoi commit a number of crimes in Liberia. The problem? At the time Massaquoi was under 24/7 guard in Sierra Leone and could not possibly have been guilty. Ultimately, a Finnish court dismissed the case against Massaquoi, but the damage was done: As profiteers and civil war rivals sought revenge, they forced an asylum seeker who had done the right thing into a multi-million dollar process, hijacking the Finnish judiciary for lawfare. To Finland’s credit, they compensated Massaquoi nearly a half million dollars for the harassment he suffered due to the malicious prosecution.

As troubling is the case of Simon Ekpa, the prime minister-in-exile of Biafra. Between 1967 and 1970, Biafra, chafing under Nigeria’s religious and ethnic discrimination, sought to secede. The Nigerian military response was brutal. The Nigerian Army killed up to 100,000 Biafrans outright, and then millions more died due to its land and sea blockade. Rather than be generous in victory, Nigerian leaders continued their repression. Under the rule of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president between 1983 and 1985 and again from 2015 and 2023, Nigerian repression grew against ethnic Igbo in Biafra and Nigerian Christians more broadly.


It was against this context that Simon Ekpa, a prominent human rights activist, organized a referendum for Biafra. Tens of millions of Biafrans reportedly voted and overwhelmingly choose independence. Ekpa planned a convention in the coming week for the Declaration of the Restoration of Independence of Biafra. For Biafra to declare independence in Finland may seem strange, but it is not disqualifying. After all, Czechoslovakia’s declaration of independence took place in Washington, DC.

Fortunately, the Czechs never had to worry about Finnish police. In March 2024, as momentum for Biafran independence grew, the Nigerians charged Ekpa and dozens of other activists with terrorism. Last week, the Finns arrested Ekpa despite the spuriousness of Nigerian charges. As Biafrans seek freedom in response to Nigerian repression, it is ironic that the Finns response is to facilitate more repression. Otto Hiltunen, the head of Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, was unapologetic. He accused Ekpa of inciting “violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in south-east Nigeria” by “campaigning, for example, on his social media channels.” What next? Arresting Uyghurs for exposing their abuses at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party? Eritreans who escaped the slavery of the Isaias Afwerki’s regime?

Finland coasts on its reputation of liberalism, human rights, and freedom. When it comes to Africans escaping repression at home, alas, it is a reputation the country no longer deserves.


https://www.19fortyfive.com/2024/11/finlands-persecution-of-african-dissidents-betrays-its-top-freedom-ranking/

Well articulated. It's left for the Finish government to come out clean on Simon Ekpa's case

Serve the Zoo and come back in shame~Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.




The zoo agent have been used and about to be dumped,if not crushed to seal the secret.

The troubling thing about Simon Ekpa's case is that all the news of him is coming out of Nigeria

None is coming out of Finland. There isn't one verified Finnish outlet that said anything about this case, all you hear is what the Nigerian outlets say

Very strange considering that Simon Ekpa served in the Finland Army, was once a councillor, and a member of the ruling party

tony0806:
Well articulated. It's left for the Finish government to come out clean on Simon Ekpa's case

Lol.

Finland is now a zoo .

It's now caging wild animals like Ekpa

chiagozien:
Serve the Zoo and come back in shame~Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.




The zoo agent have been used and about to be dumped,if not crushed to seal the secret.

u no de shame? U get atom of Sense so? After celebrating he so called arrest and u are still here talking nonsense, we shall meet in Biafra but don't run

All eyes on Finland
My prime minister must be victorious and 2nd Dec is unstoppable ✊
See you in Biafra

gidgiddy:
The troubling thing about Simon Ekpa's case is that all the news of him is coming out of Nigeria

None is coming out of Finland. There isn't one verified Finnish outlet that said anything about this case, all you hear is what the Nigerian outlets say

Very strange considering that Simon Ekpa served in the Finland Army, was once a councillor, and a member of the ruling party

Because Finland citizens have no interest in Simon Ekpa.Simon is more popular and notorious in Nigeria than in Finland.

gidgiddy:
The troubling thing about Simon Ekpa's case is that all the news of him is coming out of Nigeria

None is coming out of Finland. There isn't one verified Finnish outlet that said anything about this case, all you hear is what the Nigerian outlets say

Very strange considering that Simon Ekpa served in the Finland Army, was once a councillor, and a member of the ruling party

That is because thr is nothing serious. They go soon allow the guy go home.Many rubbish is about to stop with trump as usa president. I hope T pain no beg them to hold him make Dec 2 wake pass.The fear of that guy is the beginning of wisdom for this government,lol.Kanu was too a gentleman like Peter obi.I guess is because military blood dey ekpa body.

Streetinvestor2:
That is because thr is nothing serious. They go soon allow the guy go home.Many rubbish is about to stop with trump as usa president.

This is Finland.

They won't have him remanded if the case against him is not serious and they won't have taken him to court on same serious charges if they don't have the evidence in place already.

DomPerignon:

This is Finland.

They won't have him remanded if the case against him is not serious and they won't have taken him to court on same serious charges if they don't have the evidence in place already.

What are the charges Not all this naija noise..Show credible source from Finland not nigeria propaganda .This is not his first arrest.

Austineva:
u no de shame? U get atom of Sense so? After celebrating he so called arrest and u are still here talking nonsense, we shall meet in Biafra but don't run

I de tell you

Streetinvestor2:
That is because thr is nothing serious. They go soon allow the guy go home.Many rubbish is about to stop with trump as usa president. I hope T pain no beg them to hold him make Dec 2 wake pass.The fear of that guy is the beginning of wisdom for this government,lol.Kanu was too a gentleman like Peter obi.I guess is because military blood dey ekpa body.

Even if they Finish government refuse to release him on or before that 2nd December, the BRGIE governing council will pass a vote of confidence on one of them to make the declaration

Streetinvestor2:
What are the charges Not all this naija noise..Show credible source from Finland not nigeria propaganda .This is not his first arrest.

Supporting and financing acts of Terrorism.

tony0806:


Even if they Finish government refuse to release him on or before that 2nd December, the BRGIE governing council will pass a vote of confidence on one of them to make the declaration

That will be nice.

Who will then be your PM?

Finlands Harbouring of a Terrorist like Simon Ekpa harmed them far more

It was against this context that Simon Ekpa, a prominent human rights activist, organized a referendum for Biafra. Tens of millions of Biafrans reportedly voted and overwhelmingly choose independence. Ekpa planned a convention in the coming week for the Declaration of the Restoration of Independence of Biafra. For Biafra to declare independence in Finland may seem strange, but it is not disqualifying. After all, Czechoslovakia’s declaration of independence took place in Washington, DC.

This lamba dey wear isi-agu sleep for night.

DomPerignon:


That will be nice.

Who will then be your PM?

When kasala bust, UN will intervene and ask for another referendum, of which most Easterners will vote overwhelmingly in favour of. At the end, a Biafran Presidential election will be held. Simon Ekpa may still remain as the PM nevertheless

Throwback:


This lamba dey wear isi-agu sleep for night.

You gerit

tony0806:


When kasala bust, UN will intervene and ask for another referendum, of which most Easterners will vote overwhelmingly in favour of. At the end, a Biafran Presidential election will be held. Simon Ekpa may still remain as the PM nevertheless

Treat malaria.

DomPerignon:


Treat malaria.

Remember not to skip your dose

gidgiddy:
The troubling thing about Simon Ekpa's case is that all the news of him is coming out of Nigeria

None is coming out of Finland. There isn't one verified Finnish outlet that said anything about this case, all you hear is what the Nigerian outlets say

Very strange considering that Simon Ekpa served in the Finland Army, was once a councillor, and a member of the ruling party

Simon Ekpa would definitely rot in jail.The terrorist has killed more igbos than even the fulani herdsmen.
Freedom fighter my foot.

tony0806:


When kasala bust, UN will intervene and ask for another referendum, of which most Easterners will vote overwhelmingly in favour of. At the end, a Biafran Presidential election will be held. Simon Ekpa may still remain as the PM nevertheless

If a referendum is held today majority of igbos would vote against Ekpa.

Igbos would be safer in Nigeria than in a biafra ruled by the likes of Ekpa.

PaChukwudi44:

If a referendum is held today majority of igbos would vote against Ekpa.

Igbos would be safer in Nigeria than in a biafra ruled by the likes of Ekpa.

Tueeeee.

"Safer in Nigeria"?
How did you feel as you were typing this statement?

Igbos are not voting for Simon Ekpa, they'll vote for Biafra

PaChukwudi44:

Simon Ekpa would definitely rot in jail.The terrorist has killed more igbos than even the fulani herdsmen.
Freedom fighter my foot.

Any available data to support your assertion?

Austineva:
u no de shame? U get atom of Sense so? After celebrating he so called arrest and u are still here talking nonsense, we shall meet in Biafra but don't run

That guy is deranged

Simbam:

As Biafrans seek freedom in response to Nigerian repression, it is ironic that the Finns response is to facilitate more repression. Otto Hiltunen, the head of Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, was unapologetic. He accused Ekpa of inciting “violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in south-east Nigeria” by “campaigning, for example, on his social media channels.”
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2024/11/finlands-persecution-of-african-dissidents-betrays-its-top-freedom-ranking/

Obviously a paid peace to try to sanitise the activities of Simon Ekpa and his goons.

The person that wrote this should go and see heartbreaking pictures of imbecilic grown men administering corporal punishment to and brutalising school children in uniform whose only crime was to want to go to school to learn.

Children of members of the Biafra government in exile no doubt were not observing the sit-at-home wherever they are based abroad.

This is not Biafran actualisation, this is a brutal clamp down on children of the poor in Biafra by greedy, evil, power hunger mentality unstable people who will hopefully have to pay soon for crimes committed against defenceless children.

owobokiri:

That guy is deranged

I'm telling you brotherly, it's a pity
Tufia

PaChukwudi44:

If a referendum is held today majority of igbos would vote against Ekpa.

Igbos would be safer in Nigeria than in a biafra ruled by the likes of Ekpa.

Tell them pa chukwy. Ekpa and Kanu have killed more Igbos than Fulani herdsmen and natural disasters combine. I kept telling them that we don't want this type of Biafra in igboland but they wouldn't hear. Most of these nairaland Igbo e warriors don't live in igboland. Some live in Ogbomosho while promoting death and violence in igboland

aswani:


Obviously a paid peace to try to sanitise the activities of Simon Ekpa and his goons.

The person that wrote this should go and see heartbreaking pictures of imbecilic grown men administering corporal punishment to and brutalising school children in uniform whose only crime was to want to go to school to learn.

Children of members of the Biafra government in exile no doubt were not observing the sit-at-home wherever they are based abroad.

This is not Biafran actualisation, this is a brutal clamp down on children of the poor in Biafra by greedy, evil, power hunger mentality unstable people who will hopefully have to pay soon for crimes committed against defenceless children.

God bless you o. Help me tell those wicked idiots

DomPerignon:


Supporting and financing acts of Terrorism.

U are as stupid as what you wrote. The agitation for biafra is terrorism to your like.You are not seeing all the terror melted on igbos everyday in nigeria via unfairness,lack of equity and justice...ewu