The Estonian community in Sweden, in a public appeal, addressed to the Estonian president, prime minister and chancellor of justice, condemn EKRE’s attacks on minorities and say they’re not going to watch silently how Estonia is moving towards the Hungarian and Polish autocratic societies.
Estonian World publishes the appeal in full.
President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid
Chancellor of Justice of the Republic of Estonia, Ülle Madise
Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Jüri Ratas
31 March 2019 in Stockholm
Public appeal of Estonians living in Sweden
Since the declaration of independence in 1918, as well as after the restoration of independence in 1991, Estonia has shown itself to be an innovative, respectful, open and a democratic state. The losses from the Soviet Union during the years of occupation here and beyond the Iron Curtain have left so many wounds healing slowly in our lives. The Estonian refugee community did not lose faith and the struggle for a free Estonia lasted for decades. Estonia’s development as a democratic country has been remarkable. In a short period of time, a poor and unknown country in the northern part of Europe has become a successful and acknowledged miracle of e-government and one of the world’s leaders in digital development.
Today’s political developments in Estonia make us worried. Since 2015, the Riigikogu has a particular political party whose leading members praise the loathsome, vile dictators of history, while immigrants, refugees, people of colour, the LGBTQ community and many other minority groups are the target of the particular political party’s hostility. A political party whose leaders have publicly expressed their desire to limit freedom of the press and the independence of the judicial courts and who threaten mass riots if they fail in succeeding to get representation in the next government. For many years, Estonia’s membership in the European Union and NATO has been questioned – our steadfast foreign and security policy direction, which was already established at the time of president Lennart Meri.
We condemn the attacks on people of colour and all minority groups, LGBTQ and Jewish communities, gynecologists, human rights defenders, cultural figures, journalists and judges. We are not going to remain silent bystanders when Estonia moves towards the Hungarian and Polish autocratic semi-closed societies under the leadership of populist right radical forces. This is the direction that would lead to a loss of confidence in Estonia from the European Union and other foreign partners. Not to mention the threat to Estonia’s constitutional order, democracy and human rights.
Signatories (alphabetically):
Peter Avo Andrekson, rofessor
Kristiina Gilts Stenhardt, architect
Leena Hurt, entrepreneur
Evelyn Höglund, teacher
Liine Jaanivald, lawyer
Maela Jaanivald, landscape architect
Epp Jaansoo, teacher and conductor
Ilona Jenkins, designer
Sofia Joons, musician and sociologist
Kristjan Jättenfeldt, office manager
Rein Jüriado, public official
Ann Jürisoo Arendi, physiotherapist
Krista Kampus, senior advisor at a think tank
Leo Kant, psychologist and university lecturer
Valdo Kask, freelance journalist
Redi Koobak, cultural scientist
Anu Kuusmann, entrepreneur
Alar Kuutmann, culture
Maimi Laks, designer
Ivar Lill, management consultant
Tiina Mark-Berglund, Statistician
Katrin Meerits, opera singer
Enel Melberg, writer and translator
Linda Meri, HR consultant
Tiina Meri, communication and editing
Lauri Metsvahi, musician
Mart Mägi, professor emeritus, honorary doctor of Tallinn Technical University
Aime Mölder, optik
Avo Mölder, computer specialist
Kristi-Maria Nurm, student
Oskar Nurm, student
Hendrik Nyman, teacher
Mart Nyman, criminal inspector
Ivar Paljak, doctor of technology, 4th Order of the National Coat of Arms
Indrek Parts, entrepreneur
Ivar Paulson, doctor of medicine
Pärtel-Peeter Pere, entrepreneur
Pille Pruulmann-Vengerfeldt, professor in media and communication
Peeter Puide, writer and translator
Aho Rebas, former cultural advisor, Valgetähe IV klass
Hain Rebas, professor emeritus, Valgetähe III klass
Karin Rebas, expert in education
Helju Rumma, editor
Leana Salu, conductor
Jaan Seim, former headmaster of the Estonian School in Stockholm, Valgetähe V klass
Katrin Sepp, psychologist
Karin Soots, teacher in early education
Mall Stålhammar, professor emeritus
Taave Sööt Vahermägi, CEO
Maarja Talgre, writer
Evelin Tamm, freelance journalist
Marje Taska, artist
Säde Tatar, freelance musician
Lemmi Tui
Toomas Tuulse, composer and musician
Tõnis Tõnisson
Marie Vaadre, European Parliament candidate (L)
Olav Vahtras, professor
Maire Vill, trainer and arent
Piret Villo, Phd, organic chemistry
Kristina Viira, national handicraft promoter
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Cover: The representatives of the Estonian community in Sweden handing over the public appeal on 31 March 2019.
