Lieksa found to have discriminated against Russian politician

The City of Lieksa discriminated against Russian politician Galina Paring by excluding her from a position on the board of a city-owned business company, Finland’s Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal ruled, Yle reported.

The tribunal said the city’s executive board did not put Paring, a Green Party member and Russian citizen, forward for the board position because of her nationality. Another party’s nominee was selected instead.

The Greens said other parties asked Paring about her citizenship while the appointment was being prepared, and that the party was asked to replace her as its candidate. It refused.

The tribunal found that Paring met the formal requirements for the position: she lives permanently in Lieksa, is eligible to vote and stand for election, and is a deputy member of the city council. It held the city responsible for the discrimination, even though the company’s shareholders’ meeting formally appointed the board members.

The tribunal prohibited the city from repeating the discrimination and set a 5,000-euro conditional fine to enforce the ban. It also recommended that the city pay Paring 1,500 euros in compensation. The compensation recommendation cannot be appealed, while other parts of the decision can be challenged in an administrative court.

Paring and the Greens had initially sought a reconsideration of the entire appointment, but both said they were satisfied with the decision. The compensation is roughly equivalent to four years of meeting fees, said Ville Elonheimo, executive director of the Savo-Karelia Greens. Yle said it had not reached the city for comment.