Government discusses human rights recommendations issued to Finland

The Finnish Government discussed recommendations, decisions and conclusions issued to Finland by international human rights monitoring bodies. Based on the discussion, the state secretaries of the parties in Government decided on further measures related to the recommendations. This was the second discussion held as part of the implementation of the Government’s equality statement.

In its discussions, the Government focused especially on human rights recommendations related to equality based on a report drawn up by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Many of the recommendations issued to Finland centre around the rise of hate speech and intolerance online and in political discource, the increased incidence of hate crime, the incomplete participation of national minorities in decision-making processes, and discrimination against Roma.

The recommendations urge Finland to improve teaching content and materials to better reflect the diversity of the population. They also emphasise the right of intersex persons to physical integrity.

Guidelines for further measures

Finland is a signatory to the key international human rights treaties. Human rights treaties are an important part of the international rules-based order, which is essential for Finland. The Government is committed to further developing the international human rights system and to complying with reporting and other treaty obligations. The practical implementation of human rights recommendations is coordinated by the Government Network for Fundamental and Human Rights.

General guidelines

• The Government will strengthen the implementation of the human rights recommendations issued to Finland by raising awareness of them in the ministries through existing structures for fundamental and human rights policy, such as the Government Network for Fundamental and Human Rights.
• The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue the development of a database on human rights recommendations.

Participation of national minorities in decision-making processes

• The Government will organise a round table for Roma representatives focusing on the development of timely, inclusive and meaningful methods and processes for consultation. The objective is to promote the participation of Roma in decision-making processes in matters concerning administration, policies and legislation that are relevant for upholding minority rights.

Recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sámi People

• The Government aims to ensure that the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sámi People are taken into account in decision-making and to promote their implementation. On 13 November 2025, the Government appointed a parliamentary working group to assess the recommendations put forth in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to draft a joint parliamentary opinion on the measures that should be adopted based on the recommendations and on their timeframe.

A coordination and monitoring group with representatives from the Commission’s founding bodies will be appointed to support the parliamentary working group. The ministerial working group discussing the recommendations will continue its work.

Up-to-date teaching materials and human rights training for teachers

• The Ministry of Education and Culture has launched a comprehensive programme promoting equity and non-discrimination across the whole education system. It aims to provide information and tools for promoting equity and non-discrimination in education and training, for fostering safety and security in the learning environment and for engaging children and young people. The programme also strengthens guidance and direction as well as cooperation in equity and non-discrimination issues.
• An online training for teachers and educators will be implemented as part of the comprehensive programme in order to strengthen competence in non-discrimination, equity and anti-racism work. 

Promoting the rights of intersex persons

• In autumn 2025, the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe unanimously adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)7 of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on Equal Rights for Intersex Persons.

At the national level, measures will be initiated to raise awareness of the recommendation and its content among key authorities. According to a glossary published by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, intersex persons are born with sex characteristics (such as reproductive organs, hormonal patterns or chromosomal patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. Intersexuality is a natural variation in sex characteristics.

Promoting a constructive atmosphere in society and countering hate speech

• As part of the Government’s equality statement, a comparative survey will be produced of EU Member States’ approaches to contering hate speech and hate crime.
• The Prime Minister’s Office will commission a report on acts of hatred. The report will use official information and research to form a national situation picture of the trends and manifestations of the phenomenon. It will be published at a seminar in spring 2027.

Inquiries: Risto Artjoki, State Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 160 220 06, Katriina Nousiainen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 735, Krista Oinonen, Director, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 351 172
Email addresses of the Government are in the format [email protected].