Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen at the unveiling of the memorial erected in honour of the eight Jewish refugees extradited to Germany in 1942 November 5, 2000
Finland apologises for the extradition of Jewish refugees. A shared responsibility to remember the Holocaust
"The surrender of eight Jewish refugees to the Nazis in 1942 is a stain on Finland's history. The wrongdoing can not be undone nor can it be justified under any circumstances. Neither does the number of the extradited refugees give any grounds for writing off the issue. Every man has but one life and all lives are equally valuable.
The decision was made by the Finnish government. It is, therefore, on behalf of the Finnish government and the people of Finland that I address my profound apologies to the Jewish community.
More than fifty years have passed since the Second World War. Still, the memory of the atrocities suffered by the Jews, and other oppressed minorities, is fresh in our minds. Let this memorial serve as a reminder that such events must not and shall not be tolerated ever again.
Current incidents, both in Finland and globally, demonstrate the need for measures to prevent and counter racism and ethnic discrimination. The Finnish parliamentary parties and various non-governmental organisations have committed themselves to such action. New generations must always be told about the Holocaust when being taught the history of their homeland.
I have the honour to unveil this memorial to the eight extradited Jews. May they rest in peace."