In an online editorial on Wednesday, Helena Eronen, an aide to Finns Party MP James Hirvisaari, suggested that members of minority groups be obliged to wear Nazi-style identification armbands. She later said it was intended as a humorous response to a news story about police stopping foreigners to check their identity papers.
In an Yle radio interview on Sunday, Prime Minister Katainen described the editorial as ridiculous.
"It would be an outlandish statement from anyone, but especially from an aide to a member of parliament. Even if intended as humour, one should understand that people should not be categorised into groups," said Katainen.
The Prime Minister went on to say that he is concerned about how discriminatory comments masquerading as humour are becoming more common in Finland. Human dignity, he stated, is not a plaything.
Syria mission
The opportunity to show its commitment to United Nations peacekeeping by providing ceasefire observers for the UN mission in Syria may be important in Finland's campaign to gain a seat on the Security Council. However, according to Katainen, Finland's primary objective in offering observers is to help end the conflict in Syria.
"Calming the situation in Syria is extremely important for Finland and for the whole world."
Authorities dealing with researcher's arrest
An investigation is underway into the arrest Wednesday of a Finnish Environmental Administration researcher in Russia. Katainen told Yle that the matter will be thoroughly looked into, but no political-level response has been requested from Russia.
"Environmental authorities are looking into the incident. This involves a researcher at a state research institute. We are sure to get an explanation soon as to what this is about. I believe that we'll get an explanation as we have a joint research project with the Russians," the Prime Minister predicted.
Aims to stay in party chair
Katainen also announced that be wants to continue as the chairman of the National Coalition Party. He said that recent decisions by Centre Party chair Mari Kiviniemi and the Swedish Peoples' Party Stefan Wallin to step down have not affected his own plans.
"I don't intend to resign—I intend to continue. This is probably the first time that I've said it out loud. For how long, that I don't know."
The National Coalition Party will hold its annual conference in Rovaniemi in June.
