Finland apologizes to Asian countries over beauty queen racism scandal

Finland’s prime minister has apologized to Asian nations for “offensive” social media posts made by a former Miss Universe contestant and several members of parliament.

Finland’s prime minister has apologized to Asian nations for “offensive” social media posts made by a former Miss Universe contestant and several members of parliament.

The controversy erupted after the winner of this year’s Miss Finland pageant, Sarah Dzafce, posted a picture on social media this month of her pulling the corners of her eyes alongside the caption “eating with a Chinese person.”

Her racist gesture quickly drew condemnation online before it was deleted, and Dzafce, who is not of Asian origin, subsequently apologized.

But after Dzafce, 22, was stripped of her Miss Finland title last week, several members of the far-right Finns Party posted similar images of themselves making the same gesture in an apparent show of support.

That prompted Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to apologize for the “offensive” posts made by the lawmakers whose party is one of four that make up Finland’s governing coalition.