In February, SVT Sápmi reported that the division was large in the area around Pajala.
The reason is that the Muonio concession sámeby has been trying to regain its status as a forest sámeby for a long time, but there is great resistance from, among other things, forest owners.
Tomas Sevä, vice chairman of Muonio, told then that threats and hatred have become part of their everyday life. Now he says it has gotten even worse.
– I feel that the hatred has escalated. I don’t understand why people don’t like us when we work so hard to be able to run reindeer herding in the usual way. I am dismayed, angry and disappointed with society, he says.
Asking for help from Amnesty
Now the Sami village has turned to Amnesty Sápmi and sought help, where they work a lot against hate and threats.
– We have to use our network because we want to stay and have peace and quiet. But above all, we do not want our children and grandchildren to be persecuted in their right to run their reindeer husbandry and take over from their grandparents.
Amnesty must now review the matter and do what they can.
– We are looking forward to getting their view on the matter and that we will find some way to draw attention to this so that they feel that they have support and are not completely alone in their struggle, says Eva Forsgren, president of Amnesty Sápmi.
A few weeks ago, Brå released for the first time a report on hate crimes against the Sami in which victims shared terrifying memories and experiences.
– As soon as there is talk of Sami rights, threats and hatred tend to increase and flare up, which we have always noticed, says Forsgren.