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From left: Shayda Sohrabi, a candidate for Finland's National Coalition party, Majid Haqqi, an elections and Kurdish diaspora in Finland expert, Shahen Zada Ahmed, a Social Democratic candidate, Welat Nehri, former president of the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Finland, and Shina Rezavi, a refugee affairs and human rights specialist, in a debate with Rudaw's Hemin Abdullah on April 11, 2025. Photo: Rudaw
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Thirty-seven candidates of Kurdish background are running in Finland's county and municipal elections on Sunday, with over 20,000 Kurds expected to cast their votes.
“Voting is not just a right; it is also a social duty,” Welat Nehri, former president of the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Finland, told Rudaw’s Diaspora program during a debate on Friday.
The Kurdish candidates span the center-to-left political spectrum in Finland: 18 are running on a Social Democratic Party ticket, six with the National Coalition Party, five with the Left Alliance, three with the Swedish People’s Party, two with the Green Party, one with the Christian Democrats, and two with the Centre Party.
Among the candidates, 22 are men and 15 are women.
Nehri stated that Kurds in Finland are considered an “active and successful community.”
“But we must do even more to secure our future,” he added.
Key campaign themes include cultural recognition, political participation, expanded local welfare services, and the promotion of social justice.
“When we become a political force - when we have political capital within this country and among the ranks of political parties - we will be taken into account at decision-making levels,” said Majid Haqqi, an expert on elections and the Kurdish diaspora in Finland.
Haqqi warned that abstention could lead to gains for far-right parties. “Silence helps those who want to exclude us,” he said. “The far-right wants immigrants to stay silent. Our votes are our loudest protest against their racism.”
Shahen Zada Ahmed, a Social Democratic candidate in the southwestern city of Turku, echoed Haqqi’s sentiments. “The left has always stood with oppressed nations. As Kurds, we naturally align with parties that fight for justice,” she said, adding that “this election is not just a competition, but a revolution in Kurdish political engagement.”
"If you don’t like my program, vote for another Kurdish candidate - but don’t waste your vote. Participation is power,” she added.
Also speaking during the debate, Shina Rezavi, a specialist in refugee affairs and human rights, emphasized the importance of representation. “When Kurds enter decision-making spaces, our community’s struggles are heard. Representation changes everything.”
Candidates also highlighted their stances on human rights and equality.
“Women’s rights are human rights. The Kurdish women’s struggle inspires me to fight for equality here in Finland,” said Shayda Sohrabi, who is running with the National Coalition Party.
“Many victims of human trafficking don’t know their rights because of language barriers. We need services in their mother tongues,” Rezavi added. “When a refugee is exploited at work, it’s not just their problem—it weakens labor rights for all Finns.”
Panelists also discussed the importance of local-level social services.
“Kurdish mothers who can’t speak Finnish still understand when their children’s schools are underfunded. That’s why local elections matter,” said Haqqi.
“Local elections shape daily life—schools, healthcare, jobs. Kurds must engage at every level of politics,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nehri noted that "our children must understand: voting isn't just about today, it's about securing their future in this country.”
The candidates also spoke about integration, noting that Kurds have successfully converged into Finnish culture.
"When I walk through Helsinki's streets campaigning, I don't see just Kurds or Finns - I see neighbors who all deserve dignity," Sohrbai noted, explaining that she sees herself as a “proud Kurd and a proud Finn” at the same time.
“We don’t have to choose - we can be both,” she added.
Meanwhile, Zada Ahmed stressed that multiculturalism “is not Finland’s weakness but its superpower in the 21st century.”
According to a March 25 press release from the Finnish Ministry of Justice, voters in the county elections will choose councillors responsible for organizing health, social, and rescue services in the wellbeing services counties. In the municipal elections, they will elect councillors to manage the activities and finances of their municipalities.
“Voting is not just a right; it is also a social duty,” Welat Nehri, former president of the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Finland, told Rudaw’s Diaspora program during a debate on Friday.
The Kurdish candidates span the center-to-left political spectrum in Finland: 18 are running on a Social Democratic Party ticket, six with the National Coalition Party, five with the Left Alliance, three with the Swedish People’s Party, two with the Green Party, one with the Christian Democrats, and two with the Centre Party.
Among the candidates, 22 are men and 15 are women.
Nehri stated that Kurds in Finland are considered an “active and successful community.”
“But we must do even more to secure our future,” he added.
Key campaign themes include cultural recognition, political participation, expanded local welfare services, and the promotion of social justice.
“When we become a political force - when we have political capital within this country and among the ranks of political parties - we will be taken into account at decision-making levels,” said Majid Haqqi, an expert on elections and the Kurdish diaspora in Finland.
Haqqi warned that abstention could lead to gains for far-right parties. “Silence helps those who want to exclude us,” he said. “The far-right wants immigrants to stay silent. Our votes are our loudest protest against their racism.”
Shahen Zada Ahmed, a Social Democratic candidate in the southwestern city of Turku, echoed Haqqi’s sentiments. “The left has always stood with oppressed nations. As Kurds, we naturally align with parties that fight for justice,” she said, adding that “this election is not just a competition, but a revolution in Kurdish political engagement.”
"If you don’t like my program, vote for another Kurdish candidate - but don’t waste your vote. Participation is power,” she added.
Also speaking during the debate, Shina Rezavi, a specialist in refugee affairs and human rights, emphasized the importance of representation. “When Kurds enter decision-making spaces, our community’s struggles are heard. Representation changes everything.”
Candidates also highlighted their stances on human rights and equality.
“Women’s rights are human rights. The Kurdish women’s struggle inspires me to fight for equality here in Finland,” said Shayda Sohrabi, who is running with the National Coalition Party.
“Many victims of human trafficking don’t know their rights because of language barriers. We need services in their mother tongues,” Rezavi added. “When a refugee is exploited at work, it’s not just their problem—it weakens labor rights for all Finns.”
Panelists also discussed the importance of local-level social services.
“Kurdish mothers who can’t speak Finnish still understand when their children’s schools are underfunded. That’s why local elections matter,” said Haqqi.
“Local elections shape daily life—schools, healthcare, jobs. Kurds must engage at every level of politics,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nehri noted that "our children must understand: voting isn't just about today, it's about securing their future in this country.”
The candidates also spoke about integration, noting that Kurds have successfully converged into Finnish culture.
"When I walk through Helsinki's streets campaigning, I don't see just Kurds or Finns - I see neighbors who all deserve dignity," Sohrbai noted, explaining that she sees herself as a “proud Kurd and a proud Finn” at the same time.
“We don’t have to choose - we can be both,” she added.
Meanwhile, Zada Ahmed stressed that multiculturalism “is not Finland’s weakness but its superpower in the 21st century.”
According to a March 25 press release from the Finnish Ministry of Justice, voters in the county elections will choose councillors responsible for organizing health, social, and rescue services in the wellbeing services counties. In the municipal elections, they will elect councillors to manage the activities and finances of their municipalities.
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