Trial over human trafficking of Thai berry pickers continues in Rovaniemi

A soft mumble of Thai fills the courtroom as interpreter Erkki Lahtinen translates the prosecutor’s statements for his Thai client. The trial, focusing on human trafficking involving Thai berry pickers, is now in its tenth week at the Lapland District Court in Rovaniemi, with no end in sight. Lahtinen, 65, travels from Sastamala, nearly 800 kilometers away, attending every session. He emphasizes that without him and other interpreters, securing justice would be nearly impossible.

The need for legal interpreters in Finland has grown steadily; however, only seven registered Thai interpreters exist nationwide. Four of them are involved in this ongoing case, with Lahtinen present in Rovaniemi and others participating remotely. Among the parties involved, there are 62 Thai complainants, alongside a respondent. In a forthcoming trial related to Polarica, the number of Thai complainants thus far stands at 77.

The majority of these individuals hail from Thailand’s impoverished northern region and often speak little more than their native tongue. Many are dialect speakers from the Isan region, posing additional challenges during court proceedings. Lahtinen notes that the dialect differs significantly from standard Thai, complicating communication.

As he reflects on his two decades spent in Bangkok’s slums, Lahtinen appreciates the nuances of the language. He first traveled to Thailand in the early 1990s, dedicating a decade to cooperation and development work in slum areas. He transitioned to a full-time interpreting role later in life, ensuring he remains impartial and professional despite the emotional weight of the cases he handles. Given the situation’s complexity, he points out that interpreters must fully understand the context of the case to facilitate accurate communication, as even a slight mistranslation can alter the case’s outcome.