"The Finnish government is obviously not adhering to its international obligations to provide reha-
White collar crime In addition to sex crimes, Finland has been roiled by charges of lack enforcement of economic crimes. Amnesty International shamed Finland for its "less-
er degree rape," or sexual coercion offense. Half of those convicted of rape are sentenced to imprisonment. Inspector Kari Lintilä estimated to YLE that up to ten per cent of bankruptcies may involve a hidden crime. FIN-FSA Director General Anneli Tuominen defended the organisation, telling the Helsingin Sanomat "In my opinion we conduct our work in a very professional manner. The police officer was given only a suspended sentence which has caused District Prosecutor Jarmo Hirvonen to announce plans of an appeal. Minister of Justice Tuija Brax, however, does not support toughening sentencing.
Crimes recorded by police during 2009 Theft Property damage Assault Drunken driving Narcotics Rape Homicide 151,549 50,697 32,734 23,248 17,344 370 115
Source: Statistics Finland
Average prison sentences by offence Drunken driving Sexual coercion* Narcotics Assault Homicide 3.9 months 7 months 47.2 months 55.7 months 115.3 months
Source: Statistics Finland / *Channel Four Finland
HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES IN ENGLISH WHILE LEARNING FINNISH
A planned curriculum leading to the Matriculation Examination / YLIOPPILASTUTKINTO Kaksikielinen lukio-ohjelma on suunniteltu aikuisille maahanmuuttajille, jotka voivat opiskella lukion kursseja englanniksi samalla kun he vielä opiskelevat suomea.
Option for University of Cambridge Examinations AS and A levels in the AICE DIPLOMA Recognized entrance qualification for Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland and Universities around the world. The publication, Case Closed: Rape and Human Rights in the Nordic Countries, sharply criticised all of the Nordic nations and Finland in particular. HELSINKI TIMES
DOMESTIC NEWS
1 14 APRIL 2010
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L E H T I K U VA / S A R I GU S TA F S S O N
Finland criticised for lenient approach to crime
In cases of both sex and economic crime, Finland has been under harsh criticism.
DAV I D J . If a woman cannot defend herself because of self-imposed intoxication, for instance, the crime would be charged as sexual abuse, not rape. C O R D HEL SINKI TIMES
bilitation for victims of sexual violence," it states. Hard on the heels of the policeman case was a damning report by Amnesty International. Twenty per cent of those convicted of sexual coercion received fines while ten per cent were handed jail time. "This remains the major difference between the situation in Finland and that in the other Nordic countries."
FINLAND is generally known for being a safe country. Last year the Finnish Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA) examined 74 cases of possible crime but did not report a single incident to the police. Amnesty International notes that Finland does not fund any support system for rape victims. In many cases assets are moved out of the insolvent company, sometimes by criminal gangs. With sexual coercion, two-thirds of the sentences were conditional or suspended. Who is the programme for. Marttinen says that the maximum sentence for aggravated financial crime should be increased to six years from the current four years. In particular, questions have been raised about a perceived light policing and sentencing policy.
Sexual assault The recent case of a policeman who raped a 16-year-old runaway girl who had trusted him has generated considerable public ire. The 3-4 year program is for adults without a high school qualification, or one not recognized in Finland, or Finnish citizens returning to Finland who need a bilingual education.
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Eiran Aikuislukio Eira High School for Adults tel: 09 4542 270, Laivurinkatu 3, Helsinki www.eiraedu.com. Moreover, light punishments are often imposed. Amnesty International also criticised both Finland and Denmark for a narrow definition of rape. Besides the charge of lax enforcement there have been calls to increase punishments. Of special interest is the increase in crimes involving bankruptcy. We review all cases objectively and clinically." She points out that the regulator has the ability to investigate and hand down administrative sanctions on its own, without having to go to the police. Even though FIN-FSA may not have reported any crimes to the police, the number of economic cases the police are currently working on has
grown by almost 400. Inspector Matti Rinne of the National Police Board and Janne Marttinen of the public authority co-operation project VIRKE both raised concerns over the issue. Sweden currently uses six years as their maximum punishment. The numbers of reported crime are among the lowest in the world, but this has not saved Finland from recent criticism. In such a case the victim must demand that the perpetrator be punished. This leaves the possibility that the victim could be pressured into withdrawing her charges