Oulu immigrants react to recent stabbing attacks

Four immigrants in Oulu shared their thoughts on the recent stabbing attacks targeting foreign-born individuals, with some expressing concerns about their safety, Yle reports.

A cyclist has stabbed foreign-born people in four separate incidents over the past year in Oulu. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the same person is behind all the attacks.

Erika Gallosa, a Peruvian who has lived in Oulu for five years, said she still feels safe but remains cautious. Shromona Hossain, from Bangladesh, who has been in Finland for three years, called the incidents shocking but said her sense of security has not been shaken, despite a supervisor advising her to be careful after previous attacks.

Karthik Sivasamy, from Sri Lanka, who has lived in Oulu for seven months, was unaware of the reported violence. He has not experienced harassment himself but has heard about it from other immigrants.

Both Gallosa and Hossain urged authorities to take the situation more seriously, warning that repeated attacks could damage Finland’s reputation as a safe country. Hossain said she still wants to live, study, and work in Finland.

Ana Figueredo, from Uruguay, who has lived in Oulu for a long time, said the city’s anti-racism program has not sufficiently improved attitudes. She called for concrete action and appealed to both authorities and the public to address even minor incidents of harassment against foreigners.

Figueredo emphasized the need for discussions in schools and families about respecting all people, regardless of their origin.