FINLAND

Finland: Pilot for the National Child Strategy includes children and young people in bill drafting

NordenBladet — A pilot strengthening the inclusion of children and young people in drafting the Child Welfare Act will be carried out when implementing the National Child Strategy.

The pilot aims to create a model for consulting children and young people in legislative work. The model will be piloted during the spring of 2021, when the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health prepares reform of the Child Welfare Act. Young people will be consulted on a few pre-selected topics. Responsibility for the pilot is vested in a working group that plans and implements the consultations with young people and then reports the consultation results to bill drafters in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. A publication on modelling the consultation of children and young people in bill drafting is due to be completed after the end of the pilot.

“The aim of the Child Strategy is to promote and strengthen the child’s right to inclusion. The objective of the strategy is that children’s inclusion, their right to be heard and access to information are considered systematically, either directly or indirectly, in all decision-making and activities concerning children. In implementing the strategy, tools will be developed for this work, since each child’s voice is both important and valuable, and deserves to be heard,” says Johanna Laisaari, Secretary General of the National Child Strategy.

The aim of the pilot concerning the consultation of the child, as provided in the Child Welfare Act, is to strengthen the right of children and young people who are child welfare clients to participate in the evaluation of their services and also to increase their knowledge of the regulation concerning their status and rights, including the relevant objectives. Young people will be consulted in the further preparation of the proposal.

“The child welfare inclusion pilot offers young people who are child welfare clients the opportunity to be heard on the legislative reform concerning child welfare. The aim of the reform is specifically to develop services meeting the needs of young people. That is why the pilot primarily consults young people,” says Pasi Pollari, the expert in charge of the pilot.Based on the pilot’s work, a written description of how young people have been consulted will also be compiled. The description is meant to serve as a model in connection with various legislative projects in the future.

 

Finland: Business travel during COVID-19: topical information about entry restrictions on the websites of Finnish missions abroad

NordenBladet — To support people travelling on essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, Finnish missions abroad keep their websites updated on local travel restrictions. Rules and guidance in different countries can change rapidly, which is why the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises people travelling on business to always check the official website of the country of destination, to consider whether the trip is essential, and to act responsibly.

matkustaja ja perässä vedettävä matkalaukku lentoasemalla
Photo: Pixabay

One of the principal tasks of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is to secure the operation of Finland’s foreign trade. It is important to help safeguard scope for action in foreign trade also during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Finland: Ban on salmon fishing in the River Tenojoki (Tana) watercourse proposed for the 2021 season – Opportunities to fish for other species increased

NordenBladet — The negotiations between Finland and Norway on salmon fishing during the 2021 fishing season have been completed. As a joint outcome, Finland and Norway are proposing a highly exceptional ban on salmon fishing in the whole River Tenojoki (Tana) watercourse, the Tanafjord and the sea area.

Fishing for other species will continue, and for this purpose a new type of rod fishing licence is proposed for the area.The temporary ban would apply to both rod fishing and fixed gear intended to catch salmon, i.e. weirs, gill nets and drift nets. The restrictions would apply to the River Tenojoki main stem and its tributaries, and to the Tanafjord and an extensive coastal area outside it of the size of four municipalities. This connected area would cover the whole life cycle of the Tana salmon population, which is composed of 30 different populations.The reason for this exceptional restriction is the rapid decline in the Tana salmon stock status detected in the monitoring. Under the present fishing regulations, the recovery of the salmon stocks has not proceeded as was expected. A total ban is needed because even restricted fishing would have too much impact on the stocks and significantly slow down their recovery. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä considers the outcome reached in the negotiations with Norway as a necessary measure to preserve the Tana salmon stocks.

“The decision is a tough one especially for the local residents of the River Tenojoki region, but the aim is to ensure that we have the fishing opportunities and viable salmon stocks in the future as well. What is crucial for Finland is that Norway is also prepared to restrict fishing in the Tanafjord and sea area. The outcome of the negotiations provides a unique opportunity to preserve salmon during its whole life cycle,” Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä says.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has assessed the temporary ban in relation to the different fundamental rights, including the protection of property, right of the Sámi people to practise their culture, and environmental responsibility under the Constitution of Finland. Salmon fishing in the River Tenojoki region is an important part of the Sámi culture, which is why it was necessary to assess whether a break in salmon fishing is less harmful than a decline in the future fishing opportunities.When the present Fishing Act was adopted, the Constitutional Law Committee stressed that the public authorities have not only the authority but also the responsibility under section 52 of the Fishing Act to ensure sustainability in exploiting the fish resources and to preserve biodiversity.

The ban on salmon fishing will have negative impacts on the economy of the River Tenojoki region. The tourism industry and joint owners of fishing waters, in particular, will suffer losses of income from tourism and fishing permits. The local government of Utsjoki, together with operators in the area, has already started the preparation of measures related to abrupt structural changes. The impacts of the ban on salmon fishing will also be addressed by increasing the opportunities to fish for species other than salmon. A new rod fishing permit will be introduced for tourists that will entitle them to use light fly fishing gear to fish for e.g. grayling. The right to use nets to fish for other species before the upstream migration of salmon will be retained, and restricted net fishing in the River Inarinjoki in August will be allowed. Local residents may engage in rod fishing from the shore with a limited number of non-barbed hooks in the lure. In addition, fishing for sea trout in the River Tenojoki will be allowed. The changes based on the outcome of the negotiations will be implemented by three different government decrees concerning the total ban on salmon fishing, fishing for other species, and fishing restrictions for the tributaries of the River Tenojoki. The decrees will be sent out for comment this week. The final regulations should enter into force by 1 May 2021.

More information:
Tapio Hakaste, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 162 152, tapio.hakaste(at)mmm.fi
Vesa Ruusila, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 162 051, vesa.ruusila(at)mmm.fi
Teppo Säkkinen, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 516 2868, teppo.sakkinen(at)tem.fi

 

Finland’s Minister of Finance Vanhanen to chair Coalition for Climate Action meeting, with United States, China and Japan participating

NordenBladet — Finance ministers from more than 60 countries will gather today, Tuesday 6 April, from 16.30 to 18.30, for a meeting of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action to discuss climate and economic policies.

The spring meeting of the Coalition will be co-chaired by Finland’s Minister of Finance Matti Vanhanen and his counterparts Rodrigo Cerda from Chile and Sri Mulyani Indrawati from Indonesia. This meeting will mark the end of the Chilean co-presidency, as the country will be succeeded by Indonesia. Finland will continue as Chair.

Finance ministers from more than 60 countries will take part in the meeting. The United States, Japan, China, India and South Korea have been invited to participate. The Coalition meeting brings together the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases: the United States and China. The meeting invitees include US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and China’s Minister of Finance Liu Kun. In a dialogue with stakeholders, the finance ministers will discuss climate and economic policy priorities and the work of the Coalition. The topics for discussion include:post-pandemic economic recovery, economic growth and the transition to a carbon neutral economythe role of finance ministers and central banks in managing climate riskspromotion of a carbon neutral economy (discussion with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Institute of International Finance, and the International Chamber of Commerce).

Bringing climate into economic policyThe Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action aims to bring climate change into the planning of economic policy and financing solutions in accordance with what are known as the Helsinki Principles. The Coalition was launched in Washington DC in April 2019 on Finland’s initiative.

The Coalition meeting will be held virtually in connection with the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, which are scheduled for 5–11 April.

 

Ethiopia: Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto on a second mission mandated by the EU HR Borrell

NordenBladet — Pekka Haavisto, Foreign Minister of Finland, mandated by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, is undertaking a second mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Foreign Minister will discuss the situation in Ethiopia, notably the crisis in Tigray and its regional implications.During his visit, Haavisto will meet with Ethiopian authorities, and convey EU’s continued concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Tigray, calling all parties to end hostilities and for the respect of International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law, as well as to allow independent investigations on alleged human rights abuse. He will also recall that Eritrean forces shall withdraw from Tigray. Finally, he will consult with the African Union to exchange views on the situation in Ethiopia as well as on regional issues.On his way to Ethiopia, Haavisto is travelling to Saudi Arabia and to the United Arab Emirates for discussions on regional issues as well as the situation in Tigray.He will report about his visit to European Ministers of Foreign Affairs during the next Foreign Affairs Council in April.More information:  Jeri Aalto, Special Adviser to Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 472 0725 or Theresa Zitting, Director, Unit for the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa, tel. +358 50 4651 748The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format [email protected]

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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

 

Finland: Number of coronavirus infections down on previous week – strict restrictions still necessary

NordenBladet — Slightly fewer new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 22 and 28 March than in the first weeks of the month. The current restrictions and recommendations and the closure of businesses serving food or beverages seem to have slowed down the spread of the epidemic. It takes some time for the restrictive measures to take effect, and the number of new cases remains high. Therefore, it is possible that the epidemic could take a rapid turn for the worse.

There are major regional differences in the development of the epidemic. South and southwest Finland are the worst hit areas. COVID-19 incidence remains very high in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa and the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. The incidence is lowest in the hospital districts of South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland, Vaasa and Kainuu.

The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)Coronavirus in numbers (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa)

Percentage of positive samples remained high throughout MarchBetween 22 and 28 March, about 4150 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register, showing a decrease of more than 500 cases from the previous week. The incidence of new cases was 75 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the previous week it was 85.

The total number of new cases in the last two-week period was about 8850, which was more than 500 cases fewer than in the preceding two-week period. The incidence of new cases was 160 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the preceding two-week period it was 170. Currently, the estimated basic reproduction number is 0.90–1.05, with a 90 per cent probability. This is slightly less than the week before. More than 135,000 COVID-19 tests were taken between 22 and 28 March, showing a slight decrease on the testing numbers earlier in the month. Positive results accounted for 3.1 per cent of all tests. The percentage of positive test results was high, more than 3 per cent, throughout March.

In Finland as a whole, the source of infection was traced in about 70 per cent of all new cases of domestic origin. Cases where the virus was contracted abroad accounted for 2 per cent of all new cases, and the further infections resulting from them accounted for less than one per cent of all cases. About one third of all new cases were reported among people already in quarantine. Between 22 and 28 March, most of the new cases were reported among working-age adults, especially among those aged 20 to 29 years, showing no change on the previous week.

Good progress in the vaccination of older adults – need for hospital care remains high
Vaccines are effective in protecting older adults and high-risk groups, and there has been good progress in the vaccination of these groups. The vaccination percentages were 84 per cent for people aged over 80 years, 68 per cent for those aged 75–79 years and 34 per cent for those aged 70–74 years. It is estimated that all people aged 70 years in Finland will have received their first vaccine dose by 18 April or 25 April.

Progress with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish and Swedish)

There was a considerable increase in the need for hospital care in March. On 31 March, a total of 295 patients were in hospital care due to COVID-19, showing no change on the previous week. Primary healthcare had 65 inpatients, while specialised healthcare had 180 and intensive care 50 inpatients.
There was a clear increase in the need for intensive care in March, and the number of intensive care patients peaked with 64 COVID-19 patients on 23 March 2021. However, there was a decrease in the number of intensive care patients between 22 and 28 March. On 31 March 2021, the total number of deaths related to the disease was 844.

Situation in intensive care:COVID-19 in intensive care units, 31 March 2021 (National coordinating office for intensive care, in Finnish)

The monitoring report on the epidemic published today and the previous reports are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. This week the report includes a monitoring report on COVID-19 variants.

At present, genome sequencing is performed on up to 40 per cent of all positive samples. In the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, the UK variant has accounted for 60–70 per cent of all samples and the South African variant for about 8 per cent. In the rest of the country, the percentages are 50 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. Signs of an increase in the number of variants are seen throughout the country, while the growth is strongest in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. Since genome sequencing takes time, it is not possible to draw any conclusions from the data for the past three weeks.

Monitoring coronavirus (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish and Swedish)Action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy in January-May 2021 (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2021:1)Effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on wellbeing, services and the economy (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish)

 

Finland: Grounds for restaurant lockdown re-examined after Easter

NordenBladet — Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses must remain closed to customers until 18 April 2021 in regions where it is necessary to stop the escalation of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Grounds for lockdown examined weekly
The Government will amend the decree and impose and lift closure restrictions in line with the development of the epidemiological situation in any given region or area.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare will submit a statement on possible changes to the areas falling under the restaurant lockdown to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on Wednesday 7 April. In the statement, the Institute will state its opinion on the updated assessments of the regions’ epidemiological situation provided by regional coordination groups. Updated regional assessments will probably be made on Tuesday 6 April.

An amended decree will be issued on Thursday 8 April if the closing of restaurants is no longer deemed necessary in any given region or if the epidemiological situation has become more serious in any given region. In a region where the epidemiological situation has improved and the closing of restaurants is no longer necessary, the amended decree ending the lockdown would be applicable as of Friday 9 April. Possible new lockdown requirements would enter into force on Monday 12 April at 00.00. This would apply only in a situation where, based on health authorities’ statement, the epidemiological situation is considered to have seriously deteriorated and lockdown essential to stop the acceleration of the epidemic.

 

Finland: Nordic ideas to enrich the New European Bauhaus

NordenBladet — What is good, sustainable housing in the Europe of the future? What can we learn from the legendary Bauhaus school of architecture and design to find solutions to the present challenges? What do the Nordic countries have to offer to this co-design process? How do we get everyone involved?

More than 800 enthusiastic participants from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland sought answers to these and other related questions at an event to plan the New European Bauhaus, organised in Iceland on 24 March. The European Commission envisages to get the Bauhaus started through five sets of projects during this year.

During the event workshops were organised to gather Nordic ideas for the development of the New European Bauhaus. The themes of the workshops were climate change, circular economy, digital transformation, ecosystem services, biodiversity, children and the young, and equality and wellbeing. Summaries of the discussions on these themes and the outcomes of the workshops will be compiled into a report to be submitted to the European Commission later this spring. The aim is to ensure that the ideas and perspectives of the Nordic countries will be included in the five themes of the Bauhaus project.

A recording of the opening and closing statements of the event and summaries of the outcomes of the workshops are openly available on the event’s website.

“The event aroused great interest in Finland and in the Nordic countries. From this we will continue with workshops on more specific themes. Our aim is that this work will also be reflected in the Bauhaus projects in a concrete way,” says Mika Kuittinen, Senior Specialist at the Ministry of the Environment.

The joint Nordic planning and development process will continue with several follow-up events to be organised by different stakeholders. The first one will be held on 28 April to discuss sustainable aesthetics in the built environment. Information on the other upcoming Bauhaus events will be available on the website later on.

“We wish to encourage actors involved with culture and arts to boldly participate and bring forth their views of what a good environment to live in would be in the future,” says Petra Havu, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Education and Culture.To follow the discussions and participate on social media use #NewEuropeanBauhaus.

The first Nordic planning event was organised by the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Education and Culture, Nordic Council of Ministers, ArchInfo, and Norwegian and Icelandic designer organisations.

What is the New European Bauhaus?
The New European Bauhaus is a European Commission initiative to promote sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics in the built environment.

The aim is to find better ways of living and housing through co-design and co-development – and harness not only science and technology but also creativity, culture and design to solve the great challenges of our time, including climate change.

The content and practical form of the initiative will be constructed on the basis of the European ideas, examples and wishes. Everybody is welcome to participate in the co-design process, including, architects, designers, artists, scientists, companies, civil society organisations, students, children and the young.

The New European Bauhaus implements the European Green Deal.Bauhaus refers to the legendary school of architecture and design established in Germany in the 1920s that had an instrumental role in the evolution of modern architecture and design.

Nordicbauhaus.eu: Recording of the event, outcomes from workshops and further information

 

Finland: Government withdraws proposal on temporarily restricting freedom of movement and close contacts

NordenBladet — The Government has withdrawn the legislative proposal it submitted to Parliament on 25 March on the temporary restriction of freedom of movement and close contacts. The Government notified Parliament of the withdrawal in a communication on Wednesday evening 31 March. The proposal was submitted as a provisional exception to fundamental rights in situations of emergency in accordance with section 23 of the Constitution.

On 31 March, the Constitutional Law Committee submitted a statement on the government proposal (PeVL 12/2021 vp). In its statement, the Constitutional Law Committee stressed that the objectives of the government proposal could be considered very significant. However, in the Committee’s view, the underlying solution chosen in the government proposal to prohibit movement in its entirety is contrary to the requirement of proportionality, given the epidemiological reasons presented to it in the government proposal, and it cannot be considered necessary in the manner referred to Article 23 of the Constitution. The Constitutional Law Committee considers it essential and good legislative practice that, especially when significant changes are proposed to a far-reaching government proposal that have an essential impact on the underlying solutions in the proposal, the preparation of the matter should be assigned to the Government.