Iraqis in Finland are immigrants from Iraq residing in Finland. They numbered 32,778 in 2017, making them the fourth largest immigrant group in Finland behindRussians, Estonians and Swedes. They are also the fastest growing immigrant group.
Migration
Most Iraqis in Finland have come as refugees. Of the 32,000 people who sought asylum in Finland in 2015, 21,000 were Iraqis, or two-thirds of all asylum seekers.
Asylum based on clan feuds
Iraq is a clan-based society like many in the Middle East. Many Iraqis claim asylum in Finland on the basis that they are threatened by rival clans in their home country, but the refugee conventions state that asylum is granted on the basis of being persecuted by authorities of a country. Persecution by other civilians is primarily a concern of police in the country of origin. This creates contradictions because officials in Iraqi police authorities might themselves be members of a rival clan.
Distribution
is home to the largest Iraqi community, but Turku has the highest proportion.
No.
Municipality
Iraqis
%
1.
Helsinki
5,936
0.92
2.
Espoo
3,181
1.12
3.
Turku
2,771
1.45
4.
Vantaa
2,460
1.08
5.
Tampere
1,642
0.70
6.
Lahti
909
0.76
7.
Oulu
681
0.33
8.
Vaasa
382
0.57
9.
Hämeenlinna
357
0.53
10.
Jyväskylä
281
0.20
Crime
Rape
In 2017, 12% of all rapes committed in Finland were done by Iraqis. In total Iraqis committed 199sexual assaults.
Honor crime
The first case of an honor killing in Finland happened in 2015, when an Iraqi man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for planning to murder his 16-year-old sister. He was also sentenced for assault. He and their mother had forbidden his sister from meeting people her own age and leaving the home beyond going toschool. In 2019, a 48-year-old Iraqi attempted to murder his 40-year-old ex-wife because she associated with other men. The stabbing was done at an educational institution where both were studying. When she turned around, he stabbed her in the back. She was seriously wounded but survived. According to the accused, he was ridiculed by his friends because. The couple had arrived in Finland in 2015 and divorced shortly after arriving.
