Ministry for Foreign Affairs and civil society organisations discussed Finland's priorities in the UN Human Rights Council

The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its second regular session of this year from 19 June to 14 July. Before each session, as part of Finland’s contribution to the work of the Human Rights Council, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs asks civil society organisations for their views on Finland's priorities and objectives. Many civil society representatives again gathered at Merikasarmi, Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The event began with a recap of the previous session's results. At its spring session, the Human Rights Council discussed several situations, including Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Finland strongly supported the renewal of the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which was established a year ago to address the situation. The Commission of Inquiry has collected information on human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. In its report to the Human Rights Council, the Commission concluded that Russians had committed several war crimes.  Finland promoted the consideration of the rights of persons with disabilities in conflicts both in Council decisions and through a high-level side event focused on this theme. 

The Council unanimously adopted an initiative to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, presented by Finland in cooperation with Germany, Brazil and Namibia.  Finland promoted women's rights, for example through a joint statement with Mexico, which was presented on International Women's Day and gained the support of nearly 70 States. The States that supported the joint statement also committed to upholding every woman's right to decide over her own body.

Discussion on the rights of women and sexual and gender minorities, their education and the realisation of human rights in different countries

The focus of the summer session is on women's and girls' rights and gender equality. Civil society representatives expressed widespread concern about the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. The Human Rights Council will discuss the recommendations of Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett and the working group on the prevention of discrimination against women and girls in order to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Civil society representatives condemned the discrimination and other human rights violations committed by the Taliban and urged Finland to propose new measures to the Council to address the situation.

There was also concern about a recent, more widespread movement against women's rights in the Human Rights Council, which has resulted on previously adopted international commitments having been challenged in the negotiations on resolutions. The Human Rights Council is planning to take a stand on preventing violence against women and girls and forced marriages. Finland was urged to express strong negotiating positions and persist with the efforts to defend the rights of women and girls and gender equality.

The Human Rights Council is also planning to discuss resolutions on the right to education. Civil society organisations pointed out that equality in education is still not realised and particularly groups in vulnerable situations, such as children living in warzones and young LGBTIQ+ people, need support in this respect. Finland was also urged to promote the participation of young people in human rights work. 

In addition to the above-mentioned topics, Finland will participate in the negotiations on resolutions on the rights of persons with disabilities and on extreme poverty and, together with Sweden, propose the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. The prevention of extrajudicial executions emphasises the right to life, the duty of the authorities to conduct an independent investigation, and the importance of an impartial judiciary and effective legal remedies.

At the session, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will give a report on the situation in Ukraine. OHCHR has carried out important, independent work in registering civilian victims since the start of Russia's illegal invasion. Finland strongly supports the opportunity for the Council continue receiving reports from the Office on the situation in Ukraine.

In addition to Afghanistan, civil society organisations took a stand on situations of human rights in several countries, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Belarus and Syria, which are on the Council's agenda at the summer session. Civil society organisations sent a strong message to Finland: the Human Rights Council must also address human rights violations and abuses, such as death penalties, violence and discrimination, against sexual and gender minorities around the world.

Cooperation and dialogue with civil society are Finland's strengths

In their addresses, many civil society organisations that participated in the consultation thanked the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for its good cooperation and active exchange of views with Finnish civil society. In his closing remarks, Deputy Director General Erik Lundberg said that dialogue and exchange of information are important and help to promote common goals. Finland is committed to cooperation with civil society: meaningful civil society participation is essential for the functioning of a democratic system.

At the end of the event, the participants applauded Ambassador for Human Rights and Democracy Rauno Merisaari who will retire in the autumn after a long and distinguished career.

Finland is a member of the UN Human Rights Council during the 2022–2024 term. The Human Rights Council is the UN’s most important intergovernmental body protecting and promoting human rights.