Begging ban won't help Finland

A majority of Finns would like to see begging banned, according to a survey carried out by six regional papers. A work committee at the interior ministry also views this as the right approach. The daily Lapin Kansa disagrees. "Poverty, misery and hopelessness are part of this world, unfortunately. Begging is humiliating. Beggars have to experience what it is to be stared at and despised. What it is to be invisible, a third-class citizen. How small children gape at them and parents eye them with distrust. ... To ban begging by law won't help. It would only sweep the problem under the carpet, make it invisible for people. The Finns rightly believe that every country like Finland should take care of its own poor. Begging Roma are a pan-European problem that must be dealt with at a European level. The best results can be achieved if we begin to improve living conditions in the beggars' home countries. It should be a matter of honour for the EU to take care of the weak."

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