Human rights defenders' protection is to be strengthened

Finland should support the work of human rights defenders in its foreign policy and through its network of missions abroad more actively than today. This is the view of the Advisory Board on International Human Rights Affairs, which consists of representatives of Finnish parliamentary parties and human rights organisations.

According to the Advisory Board, Finland should offer political protection to persons who have become victims of violence and serious harassment because of their opinions and actions and to increase financial support to local human rights organisations.

The Advisory Board's assessment of Finland's human rights policy was published and submitted to Foreign Minister Tuomioja in Helsinki today. This was the Advisory Board's first assessment of the Ministry's Human Rights Strategy, which was adopted in 2013. 

It suggests supplementary measures to Finland's current human rights activities. Reinforced contribution is called for not only to the protection of human rights defenders but also to the control of the implementation of human rights agreements, the promotion of disabled persons' unimpeded opportunities of participation, and human rights training and information.  However, the Advisory Board does not want to change the main objectives of Finland's current human rights policy, which include the promotion of the rights of women and persons at the highest risk of discrimination, economic and social rights, and civil society support. 

In his speech at the event, Minister Tuomioja said that Finland has good opportunities of effective influence on international decision-making concerning human rights issues. Tuomioja underlined that a credible exercise of influence internationally requires that human rights problems are addressed at home.

In addition to Tuomioja, the following speakers, for example, were heard at the event, held at the House of the Estates in Helsinki:  chair of the Advisory Board, MP Ulla-Maj Wideroos, Regional Representative of the UN OHCHR Regional Office for Europe Jan Jařab, and an African human rights defender Hassan Shire. The speakers' presentations were commented by Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson.

The assessment of the Advisory Board on International Human Rights Affairs in whole can be accessed at: http://formin.finland.fi/public/download.aspx?ID=140593&GUID={806DFA04-F7CB-4F8F-BA8F-81AC2A36C07C}

The Human Rights Strategy of the Foreign Service of Finland and the Human Rights Action Plan of the Foreign Service of Finland 2013–2015 can be accessed at: http://formin.finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?nodeid=42553&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI

Additional information: Director Nina Nordström, Human Rights Policy Unit, [email protected], +358 295 350 104