The news that the police are to step up their monitoring of public order and security has raised the hackles of some foreigners living in Finland.
According to information received by Helsingin Sanomat, the police have randomly asked some foreign-looking residents in at least Helsinki and Vantaa for documents to prove their identity and their right of abode in the country.
The police deny that the colour of the person's skin or the fact he or she is speaking a foreign language is the sole cause for checking IDs.
In contrast, the police stress their obligation to maintain a watch on public safety and order.
The police also note that as Schengen area officials they have a duty to monitor the internal borders of the EU, and to prevent illegal immigration.
Keeping a watchful eye on foreigners is thus basic police work that is carried out in conjunction with the officers' other duties.
The police do admit that they have stepped up their vigilance and that the operations are to continue. There has been talk of spot-checks, but even for these something more than merely "being foreign" is required.
It is quite clear that the police do not have the right to carry out indiscriminate and unjustified checks on individuals.
They tend to brand people and are found to be offensive and in violation of human rights declarations.
Through their actions the police should on the contrary be increasing the confidence of those of foreign background in the behaviour of the Finnish authorities.
Many of the foreigners have come from countries where there is a well-grounded fear and suspicion of the police forces.
Foreigners in Finland should not be put in the position of seeing the host country as a police state in which individuals can be requested to show their papers without any due cause.
It is the duty of the police to support the acclimatisation and general well-being of immigrants.
This requires both an active interest in the rules and regulations of Finnish society from the immigrants themselves and an understanding on the part of the police for the cultural backgrounds from which the immigrants are coming.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 14.3.2008
