Finland Times

Friday, 29 March, 2024
Home NATIONALKempele refugees shifted for safety
Print
Sun, 29 Nov, 2015 12:05:34 AM
Anti-asylum protest follows teenage rape
FTimes – STT Report, Nov 29
 
Kempele refugee centre. File Photo Lehtikuva.
The inmates of Kempele refugee centre were shifted to another place on security ground following a demonstration by the local people protesting against the government’s immigration policy on Saturday.
 
About 200 to 300 people brought out a procession from Oulu area and marched to the town’s market square protesting the incident of rape of a 14-year-old girl allegedly by an Afghan in Kempele on Monday, which came public on Friday. 
 
The protesters marched from the market to the building used to shelter young asylum seekers. The procession ended at the scene where the teenage girl was raped.
 
Later the Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation, which operates the refugee centre, shifted the refugees to elsewhere, reported the Iltalehti, a Finnish language tabloid.
 
The Iltalehti report said Saturday’s anti-asylum demonstration forced the centre authorities to shift the refugees to a different place to ensure their security.
 
According to the Oulu police, the unit’s staff made an independent decision to move the residents elsewhere, reported the national broadcaster Yle.
 
The foundation said it had transferred the young asylum seekers to a different location in order to ensure their safety.
 
The foundation sources said a number of people including media representatives had trespassed into the asylum shelter during the demonstration. They were, however, dispersed by security guards. 
 
The Locals staged demonstration in Kempele on Saturday against government immigration policy. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.
Except for loud shouting, the demonstration was peaceful. Three platoons of police were present at the spot to avoid any unwanted event.
 
Eija Ahola, a barbecue entrepreneur, said she took part in the march because she is concerned about the residents’ safety, especially that of children and young people. “The rape which took place on Monday brought tears to my eyes. Security is the most important thing,” she said.
 
In a statement, the foundation said the vicinity of the asylum centre had been marred by unrest since Tuesday. The centre had been targeted with stones and fireworks as well as intrusions.
 
The presence of the asylum shelter for minors opened by the foundation in November was also cited as a reason for discontent.
 
comments powered by Disqus
More News

 
   
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved
Developed By -