Finland: Recommendations to Finland on the realisation of civil and political rights

NordenBladet — Today, on 1 April 2021, the United Nations’ Human Rights Committee issued its recommendations to Finland concerning Finland’s seventh Periodic Report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Committee welcomes a number of legislative and policy measures implemented in Finland, including the reform of the Non-Discrimination Act, amendments to the Equality Act, the Act on the National Prosecution Authority, the National Action Plans on Fundamental and Human Rights, the Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings, and Finland’s Roma Policy Programme.

The Committee issued recommendations to Finland on the realisation of civil and political rights. The Committee will monitor the implementation of three recommendations in an expedited procedure: (1) hate speech and hate crimes; (2) violence against women; and (3) the rights of the Sámi indigenous people. Finland must submit a report on the implementation of these recommendations to the Committee by 26 March 2022.

In addition, recommendations were given, among other things, on human rights impact assessments, counter-terrorism measures, the prevention of ethnic profiling, treatment of aliens, conscientious objectors, and freedom of religion.

The Human Rights Committee on is a body of independent experts, which monitors the implementation of the Covenant. Finland’s seventh periodic report was reviewed in a public virtual session on 2–4 March 2021.

The Committee’s recommendation in English