This Sunday on Radio Free Finland I’ll be talking with Jussi Hermaja, a peace and human rights activist who fled Finland to Belgium for asylum in 2001 because of being convicted for refusing to carry out national service. We’ll be discussing conscription, civil service, conscientious objectors, Russia, and the state of the Finnish military…
Jussi Hermaja, 27. He is a founder of Case Hermaja –campaign, whose aim is to free jailed conscientious objectors in Finland and advocate reforms to Finnish conscription law to meet human rights standards.
While studying history and politics in University of Jyväskylä until leaving Finland, he co-founded student union group Maltillinen äärivasemmisto
In Belgium Jussi has been working for Friends of the Earth Belgium as campaigner and as a cook-manager of an organic vegan restaurant started by the organisation.
Recently he joined a workers’ cooperative to start a new restaurant in the center of Ghent, Belgium.
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Comment by Radio Free Finland — April 8, 2006 @ 1:14 pm
I have a question for Mr. Hermaja.
In the last couple of years there have been massive anti-war protests around the world, mainly against the threat of US military action.
As far as I am concerned, all of these protests are targeting the wrong side of the conflict. Long before the US starts gearing up to strike a country, another country; Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, North Korea, and now Iran, are out there threatening the rest of the world. Where is the anti-war movement at those times? Sure the US might be the one who strikes, but it is these other countries who provide the US with an excuse to do it.
Where is the the movement protesting Iran’s threats against peace and human rights? By staying silent, it is like an endorsement of their threats to “wipe Israel off the map.”
The world is full of peace and human rights abuses, but they all appear to be ignored by the activists, unless the US steps in attempting to force change. Why is that?
(cross posted at FFT)
Comment by Fred Fry — April 8, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
Attention
http://patrioottiradio.atspace.com
Thank you
Comment by Suomen isänmaallinen nettiradio — April 28, 2006 @ 11:34 pm
I do not agree with Mr. Hermaja.
He thinks the military is primarily based on violent force, which is not true. The military is made out of the same professions you can find in the civil world. To be working in the military may not at all include any use of weapons. He could have done the “aseton palvelus” (non-weapon conscript service). The military does protect not only our nation, but also our interest of peace around the world. The Finnish military helps to keep peace and build a better life for many people around the world. Building schools in Afghansitan or helping to maintain peace in Africa is not a violant, but a noble task of the Finns.
I also disagree with the “civil disobedience” claim. A military is a repressive mechanism to force subordination. That’s why we have wars!!! If we cannot talk people into then we force them to.
Sure it is not right that certain groups are excluded and they should not be. Everyone should be required to give up a little of their own for their country and the sake of others in need. If you do not agree to join the military you may do the civil service, which is not a degrading job. Only a very few amount wipe old people’s asses. Most of the time you do the same kinda boring office work like you do in your normal job. The civil service safes a lot of money for the government, which again safes on your taxes. Six or twelve months is not a long time. For all what the generius Finnish government is already providing you, giving back some to your community is a very social and noble gift you can make.
Btw, yes they still call people until you are 30, but any Finnish citizen is eligible for military service until they are 60! So, it may not be over for you soon.
Enjoy Belgium!
Comment by Max — April 29, 2006 @ 10:11 am
It is a privilege and right to learn military skills although fighting is not fun. I understand there are people, who cannot participate military training due to their mental properties. These people should be assigned to learn other more “peacelful” skills that are needed in times of crisis.
Comment by bdd — April 30, 2006 @ 2:47 pm