The Order of the Lion of Finland was established on September 11, 1942. At that time, Finland was waging the
Continuation War. Wartime diplomacy included a heightened need to decorate, particularly foreigners from aligned countries, chiefly Germany. The existing Finnish orders, the
Order of the Cross of Liberty and the
Order of the White Rose of Finland, could not keep up with the decorations and their highest grades were in danger to become inflated due to too many holders. The Order of the Lion of Finland was thus established to allow the continuation of decorating foreigners with high ranks in Finnish orders, although the Order of the Lion of Finland can also be awarded to Finnish nationals. The new order also allowed for more flexible decorations, taking in account the rank and achievements of the recipients. In January 1998 President
Martti Ahtisaari was criticized by some NGOs, politicians and notable cultural figures because he awarded Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland to
Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, the Forest Minister of
Indonesia, and to
Sukanto Tanoto, the main owner of the Indonesian
RGM Company, a parent company of the
April Company. The April Company was criticized by non-governmental organisations for destroying
rainforests, and Indonesia itself was criticized heavily for human right violations, especially in
East Timor. Ahtisaari's party chairman
Erkki Tuomioja said that giving the medals was questionable, since he feared the act may tarnish the public image of Finnish human rights policy. Students of the arts had demonstrations in Helsinki against the decision to give medals. Artist and author
Leena Krohn returned their Pro Finlandia medals to protest the Indonesian decorations. Finnish
Olympic and
Paralympic medalists are awarded Knight or Knight, First Class, with clasps. Ambassadors accredited to Helsinki leaving their post are given the Grand Cross provided that their country also awards medals reciprocally. == Classes ==