Finland Times

This comes after the residents of the Haukipudas support unit for underage asylum seekers were temporarily banned from the swimming pool. The ban extends until the end of January. The Haukipudas asylum unit accommodates around 40 individuals.

The ban was issued after a young asylum seeker had gone to the women’s side of the bathroom on Thursday evening.

“I understood that an individual asylum seeker went to the women’s side and behaved inappropriately. It is wrong and unacceptable. Collective penalty does not, however, encourage good behaviour, if in any case is punishable,” said Hakkarainen.

Oulu City Sports Department Guided Services Director Marko Savolainen told the Finnish language daily Kaleva that the aim of the ban was to pacify the situation on the premises and send a message to the asylum seekers that inappropriate behaviour at the swimming pool is unacceptable.

The councillor emphasised that people should not be condemned on the basis of their reference group, rather they must be treated as individuals.

“Collective punishment increases stereotypes and prejudices towards asylum seekers. People brand the whole groups based on the acts of an individuals. It is a pity,” said Hakkarainen.

According to Hakkarainen, it is extremely questionable to restrict people on the basis of their background from tax-funded public service.

The councillor expressed hope that the punishment be handed to those who had been guilty of inappropriate behaviour and not the innocent.