Eldritch
05-15-2010, 08:42 PM
Proponents of legislative change want to send the message that foreign beggars are unwelcome in Finland.
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/images/2010/may/149/beg.jpg
Large cities in Finland, such as Helsinki, estimates the number of Romanian Gypsy beggars in the hundreds.
FINLAND’s Ministry of the Interior is studying the case for an outright ban on begging. Interior Minister Anne Holmlund feels that it is crucial that the need for legislative change be evaluated as quickly as possible, so that officials can intervene more effectively in what is a fast-growing problem.
Begging has become more aggressive in nature, and more closely linked to criminal phenomena. For example, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has uncovered traces of international human trafficking among the Romanian Gypsy beggars arriving in Finland. Investigation into the case is ongoing, but according to the Ministry of Interior, prosecutions in Romania may result.
Speaking at a 4 May conference for the Helsinki Police Officers Union in Siuntio, Holmlund commented:
“Begging isn’t banned under current Finnish legislation. But the rules do allow us to intervene if it constitutes a disturbance. Begging may be associated with child exploitation or aspects of human trafficking, for example, when people are forced into it. In those cases we’re looking at a more serious issue.“
Support for a ban
Numerous MPs have come out in favour of a ban, and Helsinki is among the cities that fear that the begging situation will get out of hand. Many bodies have called for swift legislative changes.
According to a proposal by Chief Superintendent and National Coalition MP Juha Hakola, for example, the Public Order Act should be changed to make begging in several locations punishable with a fine. Proponents of the change hope that beggars arriving from abroad will get the message that it’s not worth coming to Finland.
Begging is most visible on the streets of large cities. In Helsinki alone, some estimates place the number of Romanian Gypsy beggars at as high as a couple of hundred. The number is expected to rise as summer approaches.
An outright ban on begging was already considered a couple of years ago. A working group at the time decided against proposing a change to the law, however. The group concluded that a ban would not prevent poor EU nationals from arriving in Finland.
No working group has been set up this time. Instead, the police have been charged with looking into the matter.
Link. (http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/11042-begging-may-be-banned-outright-.html)
It'll be fASScinating to hear the excuses they come up with not to go ahead with this. After all, 95% if not more of Finns would support this, therefore it must not happen. That's how the current government seems to view things. :rolleyes:
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/images/2010/may/149/beg.jpg
Large cities in Finland, such as Helsinki, estimates the number of Romanian Gypsy beggars in the hundreds.
FINLAND’s Ministry of the Interior is studying the case for an outright ban on begging. Interior Minister Anne Holmlund feels that it is crucial that the need for legislative change be evaluated as quickly as possible, so that officials can intervene more effectively in what is a fast-growing problem.
Begging has become more aggressive in nature, and more closely linked to criminal phenomena. For example, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has uncovered traces of international human trafficking among the Romanian Gypsy beggars arriving in Finland. Investigation into the case is ongoing, but according to the Ministry of Interior, prosecutions in Romania may result.
Speaking at a 4 May conference for the Helsinki Police Officers Union in Siuntio, Holmlund commented:
“Begging isn’t banned under current Finnish legislation. But the rules do allow us to intervene if it constitutes a disturbance. Begging may be associated with child exploitation or aspects of human trafficking, for example, when people are forced into it. In those cases we’re looking at a more serious issue.“
Support for a ban
Numerous MPs have come out in favour of a ban, and Helsinki is among the cities that fear that the begging situation will get out of hand. Many bodies have called for swift legislative changes.
According to a proposal by Chief Superintendent and National Coalition MP Juha Hakola, for example, the Public Order Act should be changed to make begging in several locations punishable with a fine. Proponents of the change hope that beggars arriving from abroad will get the message that it’s not worth coming to Finland.
Begging is most visible on the streets of large cities. In Helsinki alone, some estimates place the number of Romanian Gypsy beggars at as high as a couple of hundred. The number is expected to rise as summer approaches.
An outright ban on begging was already considered a couple of years ago. A working group at the time decided against proposing a change to the law, however. The group concluded that a ban would not prevent poor EU nationals from arriving in Finland.
No working group has been set up this time. Instead, the police have been charged with looking into the matter.
Link. (http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/11042-begging-may-be-banned-outright-.html)
It'll be fASScinating to hear the excuses they come up with not to go ahead with this. After all, 95% if not more of Finns would support this, therefore it must not happen. That's how the current government seems to view things. :rolleyes: