Espoo Appeals Non-Discrimination Board’s Ruling in *Suvivirsi* Case
The City of Espoo is appealing to the Administrative Court against a decision by the Non-Discrimination and Equality Board regarding the so-called Suvivirsi case. The dispute centers on allegations of discrimination during a school’s spring celebration, where the song Suvivirsi was performed.
In May, the Board ruled that Espoo had discriminated against a parent, Lauri Ojala, and his child by subjecting them to direct conviction-based discrimination. The Board found that the city failed to inform Ojala in advance about the song’s inclusion in the event (Iltalehti). As a result, the Board recommended that Espoo pay compensation to Ojala and his child, a demand the city has rejected. Espoo maintains that no discrimination occurred (MTV Uutiset, Iltalehti).
The Board also imposed a conditional fine of €10,000 on the city. According to Espoo’s press release, the appeal to the Administrative Court concerns only this fine, not the Board’s broader prohibition on repeating the discrimination (Iltalehti). The city has not indicated whether it will challenge the Board’s findings on discrimination itself.