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Without underestimating the work of Transparency International it can be said that their methods have not been able to uncover the structural corruption that is deeply rooted in Finland.

The biggest daily newspaper in Finland, Helsingin Sanomat (HS), has published exceptionally critical articles that uncover the rottenness in the Finnish judicial system and amongst state authorities.

* Finland is over-run with corruption (HS 11022007)

The article has quoted professor in criminal- and procedural law at Turku University, Mr. Pekka Viljanen saying that structural corruption is a bigger problem than bribery in Finland.

* The judicial system of Finland is suffering from inefficiency (HS 26022007)

The meritorious writings of Jussi Nilsson, a judge at the district court of Helsinki, reveals that the judicial system of Finland is not independent but is functioning under the stright supervision and guidance of the ruling political elite. The writings of Mr. Nilsson have also on several occasions been published in the Finnish Lawyers Journal (Lakimiesuutiset).

His writngs have also been cited in the book that is handling about the Finnish banking crisis in the 1990s the consequences of which still affects several hundred thousand people in Finland (The book: Laman ja rahan pelurit). In his writings this legal professional equipped with high moral standards reveals the total lack of legal protection people in Finland have against the misuse of power by members of the judicial system. He compares the low level of legal protection to that of former socialist countries. The answers of those in power follow the normal way to answer to something else but the question.

* The problems in the judicial system have widely been addressed (HS 05032007).

The Minister of Justice, Ms Leena Luhtanen does not answer to the question raised by Mr. J. Nilsson about the structural corruption of the judicial system in Finland / that the judicial system of Finland is not independent.

If Ms Luhtanen really would want to answer she could answer to this question: What was the real purpose of the visit of The Court of Justice to Finland in May 2006?

If The Court of Justice visits a country of the European Community they do not come with the purpose to socialize. Such a visit can be regarded to reflect the opinion of the Court of Justice that it has discovered that a country has failed to implement Community law as it should have.

This opinion is confirmed by information from the Court of Justice about similar visits to other EU-countries which puts Finland in the same category with Greece, Spain, Italy and Cypros.

If the Court of Justice is "invited" for a visit to a country the topics have always been about the effects of the principle of primacy of Community law on the national constitution and national legislation.

We believe that addressing these issues solely within Finland does not bring us anywhere, the degradation and corruption of the judicial system must also be brought to the attention of others. This is why the book ( Laman ja rahan pelurit ) mentioned earlier and its forthcoming second part will be sent to certain parties in Europe with an abstract in English included.

Because Finnish is such a small and secluded language we believe that with all the discussion that is going on this forum there should be an abstract in English included. It is also the intention to follow up Finnish cases in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) since the way Päivi Hirvelä was elected judge to the ECHR is a good example of the structural corruption in Finland (see Press Releases 03.12.2006 and 03.02.2007).

NOTE! The chairperson responsible of the national seletion panel Ms Irma Ertman has been appointed as ambassador to the Finnish Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe

(HS 08022007).

Monitoring the influence and possible spreading of this corruption also to the ECHR gives an updated picture of the legal protection of Finns/ the lack of legal protection as mentioned by judge J. Nilsson.

Human Rights of Finland (HRF)  is dedicated to protecting the Human Rights of Finnish people.

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