At a meeting held in Haparanda, the Sámi Council issued a statement on violence and crimes against Sámi people (Sápmelaččat) during Rally Sweden. Among other things, it is demanded that the authorities take the matter seriously – “racism and hatred of Sámi people is not acceptable”.
In its statement, the Sámi Council emphasizes the fact that hatred and racism against the Sámi people has increased during the last rally.
Racism and hatred of Sámi people is not acceptable. Society must begin to take responsibility for the sake of our children, our community and our common interests, they write.
Furthermore, they write that they strongly condemn the crimes and hatred that arise because of conflicts and that it is understood that laws that should protect Sámi people and indigenous peoples are not given in the same way as the protection of other groups. They believe that it gives a false impression that Sámi people lives and rights have less value.
The statement demands that the authorities take this seriously, that crimes and violence against Sámi people be investigated thoroughly and that the perpetrators be held accountable.
We also encourage the media to take responsibility for writing about such things.
When stereotypical portrayals and polarized stories are spread in the media, it reinforces hatred and racism, they write.
At the plenary session in Sjädtavaelli, Guovssonásti, Sámiid Riikkaidbellodat and Min Geaidnu also presented a joint statement in which they strongly criticized the Swedish Rally in Uppsala for not taking into account reindeer husbandry.
The Landspartiet svenska samer and Vuovdegat also issued a joint statement demanding that the police immediately investigate the cattle that were slaughtered outside Uppsala.
Both statements contain recommendations for both the government and the authorities themselves to take responsibility.
Read the Statement Issued by the Plenary Meeting of the Saami Council in Haparanda, February 23, 2025
The Saami Council wishes to express its deep concern over the increasing hate speech and racism directed at the Sámi people, most recently in connection with events during Rally Sweden. Hate speech, discrimination, and racism do not only affect individuals but entire Sámi communities. Behind the headlines and hateful comments, there are people—children, young people, and adults—who must bear the burden of these words and actions every day <...>
Authorities, media, businesses, and society as a whole have a responsibility to refrain from hate speech against the Sámi and to actively take measures to counteract it. The rights of the Sámi people must be respected and upheld without those involved being subjected to hate.
Negative attitudes and hate speech do not arise on their own—they are connected to several factors within a larger context. Therefore, it is also necessary to view hate speech and discrimination as part of a broader picture. Hate speech against the Sámi is linked to a long history of colonization, assimilation, and the systematic devaluation of the entire Sámi people <...>
Hate speech against the Sámi often arises in connection with current news events, both positive and negative. This may, for example, be related to news about land use but also to initially positive news about the Sámi, such as the 2024 Gothenburg Book Fair. The increasing polarization, particularly in social media and news outlets, also fuels hate speech. This is sometimes driven by economic interests seeking to profit from division and controversy.
Hate speech and racism are not individual problems—they are societal problems. They erode social cohesion and create divisions that put the entire society at risk. If we allow such attitudes to flourish without resistance, we risk building a society where human rights do not apply to everyone. The Sámi, like all other people, must be protected from hate speech and discrimination.
The recent events in connection with Rally Sweden near Umeå have been a clear example of this. Following the conflict between the rally organizers and the reindeer herding community, we have witnessed a wave of hate speech directed at the Sámi. Three reindeer were brutally killed, an act currently under investigation by the police as a hate crime. Meanwhile, comment sections have been flooded with hateful statements, threats, and conspiracy theories portraying the Sámi as the problem. These are not just words—they are dangerous expressions that increase the risk of violence and abuse.
The Saami Council demands that the authorities take this issue seriously. We call for a thorough investigation into hate crimes against the Sámi and for those responsible to be held accountable. We also urge the media to take responsibility in their reporting on such events.
At the same time, the rights of the Sámi people were violated in connection with the implementation of Rally Sweden. The rally took place on the reindeer grazing lands of Rans Sámi village, which entails rights and obligations for Rally Sweden, the authorities, and the Sámi village. Sufficient impact assessments and consultations were not conducted to achieve free, prior, and informed consent. Rans Sámi village had raised objections to the event in advance, but these concerns were ignored. Rally Sweden was aware of the consequences that the event would have on reindeer herding in the area but still chose to break the agreement to avoid using a specific route.
The Saami Council strongly condemns hate crimes and the hate speech that follows such conflicts. Too often, we see that laws meant to protect the Sámi and Indigenous peoples are not applied in the same way as they are for other groups. This sends a dangerous message that the lives and rights of the Sámi are worth less <...>
We must all remember that behind the conflicts, the debates, and the headlines, there are people. Children, families, and local communities who bear the burdens of these actions. We urge all of society to stand together against racism and discrimination.
We must build bridges, not walls.
Racism and hate speech against the Sámi are unacceptable. Enough is enough. It is time for society to take responsibility—for our children, for our local communities, and for our shared future.
Source: SVT (in Northern Sámi)
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On the Problems and Prospects of the Dredging Industry in Russia
