Finnish school in Espoo fined 10,000 for forcing pupil to listen to religious songs

Finland's equality commission has fined the city of Espoo 10,000 for discriminating against a pupil who was repeatedly forced to listen to religious songs against their will. The commission also recommended Espoo pay the student 2,500 in personal compensation.

Finland's National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal has ordered the city of Espoo to pay a 10,000 fine after a pupil at a local school was repeatedly compelled to listen to religious songs without their consent.

The case centered on a student who was forced on multiple occasions to sit through songs with religious content during school activities, despite objecting to the practice. The tribunal found that this constituted unlawful discrimination against the pupil.

In addition to the fine imposed on the city of Espoo, the commission also recommended that the city pay the affected student 2,500 in personal damages as compensation for the distress caused by the repeated violations of their rights.