Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Welcome Finland’s Efforts to Strengthen Participation of Sami People, Raise Questions on Public Hate Speech and Reported Stricter Migration and Asylum Policies
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today concluded its consideration of the combined twenty-fourth to twenty-sixth periodic reports of Finland on its implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Committee Experts welcomed the State party’s efforts to strengthen the participation and self-government of the Sámi people, while raising questions on what was being done to combat public hate speech and about Finland’s reported stricter migration and asylum policies.
Michal Balcerzak, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee had taken note of the adoption in 2025 of the amended Sámi Parliament act and welcomed the State party’s efforts to strengthen the participation and self-government of the Sámi people. The Committee also welcomed the final report of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission, published in December 2025, and noted the Commission’s proposals addressing structural discrimination, language rights, land rights, governance and cultural revitalisation.
Shaikha Al-Misnad, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said hate speech by politicians and public officials was concerning, as were the gaps in hate crime and hate speech legislation. What results had been achieved through government initiatives aimed at reducing hate speech and hate crimes, and how had these measures positively impacted affected communities? What legal measures had been taken to address hate speech and discriminatory content on online and social media platforms, including by public officials and politicians? Another Expert asked about investigations into hate speech political rhetoric, including by Miss Finland.
Ms. Al-Misnad also said some reports indicated that Finland's migration and asylum policies had shifted towards stricter restrictions. What had been the impact of recent legislative changes affecting non-citizens and the temporary measures adopted to manage international migration? Could updated statistics be provided on asylum applications and their outcomes, the average duration of administrative detention, and the number of asylum seekers held in police or detention facilities?
Introducing the report, Krista Oinonen, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and head of the delegation, said that in 2024, the Government adopted its second national action plan against racism until 2027. Key measures included annual roundtable discussions on equality, chaired by the Prime Minister; the annual Government discussion on international human rights obligations; a national anti-racism campaign; and the establishment of a national anti-racism cooperation network involving public authorities, civil society and researchers.
Responding to questions, the delegation said the Finnish Criminal Code did not define hate speech as a standalone crime; however, there were specific provisions in the Code which could be applied to hate speech against population groups. Several projects had been developed to focus on discrimination in the State party, including the “Against Hate” project which focused on hate crime reporting and the development of support services for victims of hate crime. A few years ago, the Finnish social media platforms were brought together to discuss monitoring hate speech online, providing training and education to Finnish actors. Reference had been made to a controversial issue around Ms. Finland who was stripped of her crown after racist gestures. Measures had been taken immediately in the aftermath, with the Prime Minister condemning the statement and issuing an apology.
The delegation said last year, the act to combat instrumentalised migration came into force for one year, with a project in place to extend it further. It lay down the conditions under which Finland could decide to restrict applications for international protection in a limited area. After 2021, nearly 24,000 asylum decisions had been made by the Finnish immigration services, with around 43 per cent granted a residence permit, and around 26 per cent being rejected. Iraq, Somalia, Ukraine and Afghanistan were the most prevalent nationalities to apply for asylum in Finland. Tightening requirements for Finnish residency and citizenship aimed to encourage immigrants to learn the Finnish language.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Balcerzak expressed appreciation to Finland for the open dialogue, which was useful in identifying areas where further attention was required
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Oinonen thanked the Committee for the open, constructive and engaging dialogue. The review was an opportunity for Finland to reflect critically on its own policies and identify where improvements were needed
The delegation of Finland consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of the Interior; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment; the Ministry of the Environment; the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; the Parliament of Finland; the Prime Minister’s Office; and the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will issue its concluding observations on the report of Finland after the conclusion of its one hundred and eighteenth session on 25 August. The programme of work and other documents related to the session can be found here. Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the meetings can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public on Tuesday, 25 August at 4:30 p.m. to close its one hundred and eighteenth session.
Report
The Committee has before it the combined twenty-fourth to twenty-sixth periodic reports of Finland (CERD/C/FIN/24-26).
Presentation of Report
KRISTA OINONEN, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and head of the delegation, said an important institutional development since the last review was a new whole-of-Government process for following up international human rights recommendations, judgements and decisions. The Committee’s recommendations would be included in the next annual discussion.
Migration policy had undergone significant reform during the current Government’s term, with all legislative reforms implemented in full compliance with Finland’s international human rights obligations. Requirements for permanent residence permits and citizenship now placed a greater emphasis on integration, particularly employment and language skills. An important development was the implementation of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum, which became applicable in June 2026, aiming to establish a more uniform European system, and prevent abuse of the system.
A major milestone was the renewal of the Sámi Parliament act, which entered into force in August 2025. The reform responded to concerns raised by human rights bodies, including the Committee, and strengthened the Sámi people’s right to self-determination, including to determine who was eligible to vote in Sámi Parliament elections. The revised climate act also required authorities to negotiate with the Sámi Parliament when preparing climate policies which may affect them. The Sámi Climate Council was also established, an independent body combining traditional Sámi knowledge and scientific expertise.
Finland had strengthened its response to hate speech and hate crime through a cross-sectoral coordination network involving public authorities and civil society. Additionally, a programme “From Dialogue to Action” brought together young people and local decision makers to identify local challenges relating to racism and agree on practical solutions. Work was also done with religious communities to improve awareness of legal remedies and access to justice.
The development programme for equity and non-discrimination in education 2025–2027 strengthened the capacity of education professionals to promote equality, supported anti-discrimination work and provided practical tools for schools. Furthermore, Finland’s national Roma policy included measures which focused on equal access to housing, education and service, while work continued to improve equality in housing and other areas for this population.
In 2024, the Government adopted its second national action plan against racism until 2027. Key measures included annual roundtable discussions on equality, chaired by the Prime Minister; the annual Government discussion on international human rights obligations; a national anti-racism campaign; and the establishment of a national anti-racism cooperation network involving public authorities, civil society and researchers. Additionally, in May 2026, the Government adopted a new action plan against human trafficking until 2027, with particular attention paid to trafficking involving children and young people, forced marriage and trafficking linked to organised crime.
Ms. Oinonen concluded by stating that Finland remained committed to eliminating racial discrimination; however, efforts in this regard were being pursued in a challenging fiscal context, requiring careful prioritisation of new measures.
Statement by a Representative of the National Human Rights Institution
LEENA LEIKAS, Representative of the National Human Rights Institution, the Finnish Human Rights Centre, said Finland had an extensive legislative framework and a variety of policies aimed at combatting racial discrimination. However, there was a lack of coordination between the Government ministries and authorities, resulting in impeded implementation.
Structural racism and discrimination were clearly demonstrated in the labour market and education, as evidenced by complaints received by the non-discrimination Ombudsman. Those with foreign sounding names or disabilities continued to face discrimination in these areas, including in job recruitment. Racist and hate speech had become more frequent and accepted in public discourse, resulting in increased discrimination in schools, media and online, particularly impacting youth. Current educational policies did not address the various forms of racism or provide clear guidance for promoting anti-racism in schools, having an adverse impact on the mental health of children and youth.
Currently, nearly unlimited funding was allocated to security, but cuts were being introduced to foreign development aid, while rights to seek asylum and health care were limited for migrants. Civil society was slowly being suffocated by a lack of funds, making it harder for individuals to be heard. In times like these, the ability of human rights bodies to participate was vital. It was hoped that the Committee would stress the importance of implementation in its recommendations at the end of the session.
Questions by a Committee Expert
MICHAL BALCERZAK, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee had taken positive note of the State party’s legal institutional framework for combatting discrimination, including the non-discrimination act, the work of the non-discrimination Ombudsman and the national equality and non-discrimination tribunal, as well as efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Convention. The coordinated annual discussions which discussed the recommendations of human rights bodies, including the Committee, were of particular interest. What did these meetings deliver in practice?
Apart from these positive developments, there were some concerns, including gaps in the legal framework and its implementation, and the report of the Ombudsman which characterised racial discrimination as “widespread and serious” affecting minority groups. Was there a domestic institution that played a coordinating role when it came to hate crimes? What concrete results had been achieved in the Government’s anti-racism action plan? What institutions were responsible for combatting racial discrimination? What resources had been allocated to this task?
Despite data collection in other areas, the Committee was concerned that the State party did not collect comprehensive data on ethnic populations. Were there intentions to establish a separate data instrument in this regard? What progress had been made since 2021 in developing policies allowing for the publication of disaggregated data on the socio-economic status of Sami, Roma and other groups impacted by racial discrimination?
The Committee welcomed the amendments to the non-discrimination act in 2022 which empowered the non-discrimination Ombudsman to examine individual complaints of discrimination relating to employment. What was the best remedy when someone alleged discrimination? What had been the lessons learned from the national equality and non-discrimination tribunal over the 11 years it had been operating? What proportion of complaints concerning racial discrimination ultimately resulted in the finding of discrimination or remedy? What had been done to make remedies more accessible? What was the status of the proposal to move several Ombudsmen together, including the non-discrimination Ombudsman? What was the scale of complaints addressed from the non-discrimination tribunal and what were the results?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said when a Committee’s concluding observations were issued, a press release would be distributed by the Government. Following this, they would be translated into Finnish and Swedish and also into Sami language. The scheduled coordination meeting for this Committee was on 4 September, where the recommendations would be discussed. Follow-up roundtable discussions and seminars could also be organised.
The Government review of the recommendations of the human rights treaty bodies and the European Court of Human Rights was a landmark development in Finland, as it was the first time the Government had reviewed the overall human rights situation in the country. This was an excellent example which would hopefully become an institution in Finland.
The Prime Minister’s Office was currently launching an initiative to improve data collection on ethnic minorities. A roundtable targeting the Roma population would take place early next year.
The non-discrimination and equality tribunal was free of charge to contact, enabling people to easily receive information on how to proceed with cases. The tribunal’s decisions on whether discrimination had occurred were legally binding. Working life and recruitment were the most prominent areas which prompted people to contact the non-discrimination Ombudsman.
A report had been produced discussing the positives and negatives of merging the Ombudsman bodies, and currently there were no legislative changes being planned in this regard. Groups had been sceptical that the work of the non-discrimination Ombudsman would weaken if this merger took place.
Law drafters had provided training on human rights assessments and equality impacts. Thematic training and events were arranged annually on human rights assessments. There had been an increase in Government proposals which contained assessments relating to human rights.
There were many actors involved in equality planning in the State party. Finland did not maintain official population registers based on ethnicity but did collect extensive information on indicators such as mother tongue and country of birth. The labour market outcomes were regularly analysed, focusing on those with immigrant backgrounds, to identify structural barriers. A hate crime survey was published annually in Finland. Following the Committee’s recommendations, directives were issued to guide policy activity.
Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions, including on collecting ethnicity statistics; which sectors were impacted by the challenging fiscal times; oversight mechanisms for law enforcement agencies; the input being received from civil society, including in relation to reports received by the State party; and when to consult the non-discrimination tribunal.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said all sectors in Finland were currently affected by the challenging fiscal situation in the country. The security situation in and around Finland and in Europe had drastically changed and domestic security was the current priority.
Survey data was also used to provide information on ethnicity, as well as public research. There were several layers of legal oversight when it came to law enforcement officers, including the board, the Ministry of Interior, the Chancellor of Justice and the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
An independent steering group with representatives from different minority groups was planning a shadow report of the Government’s anti-discrimination action plan, which would be published next year.
Data reports were regularly produced on discrimination in Finland, containing survey data, European Union data and academic research. These reports were part of the State’s attempt to create a coherent picture of the situation of ethnic minorities in the country. The next report was currently being prepared and due to be published early next year.
Surveys received showed that the majority of immigrant children enjoyed going to school, a higher rate than those with both parents of Finnish origin.
Questions by a Committee Expert
SHAIKHA AL-MISNAD, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said the Committee commended the State party for updating its guidelines on hate crimes, including offences related to intolerance, defamation, incitement and hate speech. It also welcomed the prioritisation of hate speech and hate crimes in police training, education, and the investigation of reported cases, as well as the State party's continued efforts to combat hate speech and hate crimes.
However, there had been reports and several studies which indicated that people of colour continued to face discrimination in their everyday lives. The Committee noted the reported 1,808 suspected hate crimes recorded by the police in 2024, the highest number reported to date, and evidence that only a minority of victims reported hate crimes to the authorities. Hate speech by politicians and public officials was concerning, as were the gaps in hate crime and hate speech legislation.
What results had been achieved through government initiatives aimed at reducing hate speech and hate crimes, and how had these measures positively impacted affected communities? What legal measures had been taken to address hate speech and discriminatory content on online and social media platforms, including by public officials and politicians? Could statistics be provided on the number of complaints received, investigated and resolved, and the outcome of these investigations? What measures had the State party taken to prevent and eliminate racial profiling, including the systematic collection of data on police stops, identity checks and border control practices?
What measures had been implemented to address the underreporting of hate crimes and incidents of discrimination? What measures had been taken to ensure that law enforcement officials did not engage in racially motivated violence, discrimination or racial profiling? Were there plans to reform the Criminal Code to ensure that incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination directed at individual members of protected groups was criminalised? Were there reforms envisioned to ensure that hate crimes and hate speech offences could be prosecuted without a complaint from the victim?
Finland had a global reputation for excellence in education and consistently ranked highly on international education indicators. At the same time, the Committee was concerned that racism and racist bullying continued to affect children in the education system. What systematic training was provided to teachers and school administrators to identify and respond to racial discrimination, racist bullying, stereotypes and hate speech? What measures had been taken to prevent, record and respond to racist bullying in schools? How did the State party ensure that the national curriculum adequately addressed the history and contemporary manifestations of racism and racial discrimination?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there had been considerable debate in Finland about racism and xenophobia, triggered by statements made by individual political figures. The Prime Minister had repeatedly made it clear that there was no place for racism in Finnish society. The Finnish Criminal Code did not define hate speech as a standalone crime; however, there were specific provisions in the Code which could be applied to hate speech against population groups. A report had been drawn up to determine how to strengthen the Criminal Code in this regard, to be provided to Parliament later this year. The criminal investigation authority was required to notify the prosecutor about any cases relating to racial discrimination. Prosecutors handled cases relating to hate crime and freedom of expression as part of their criminal liability. Training was provided to judges and prosecutors on hate crimes and hate speech.
Several projects had been developed to focus on discrimination in the State party, including the “Against Hate” project which focused on hate crime reporting and the development of support services for victims of hate crime. Other projects aimed to develop data collection, produce supportive materials, strengthen the capacities of professionals, and intensify the intervention in relation to hate crime and hate speech. The impact of these programmes had been assessed. A few years ago, the Finnish social media platforms were brought together to discuss monitoring hate speech online, providing training and education to Finnish actors.
In Finland it was relatively easy to report a crime; this could be done in person at a police station, or online. A new functionality had been introduced to tackle the phenomenon of under reporting, which forced the one reporting the crime to take a stance on whether they believed it was a hate crime. There were directives on how to describe the hate crime and inform the prosecutor within the police system.
The university curriculum had gone through a significant reform in 2022 to become more human rights oriented; human rights were a cross-cutting theme in all education. One of the competencies in the curriculum was the promotion of non-discrimination and equality.
The police aimed to exercise diversity in recruitment. Recruitment was anonymous, meaning data such as age and ethnicity was not revealed until the interview stage.
Work had been done to enhance cooperation between schools and families with immigrant backgrounds. Finland had strengthened its legislative framework to reinforce the rights of students. Under this framework, pupils now had a clear obligation not to engage in bullying and discrimination.
Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions, including about data on the number of cases of hate crimes and hate speech; the reality of racism in Finnish society; why cases of racial discrimination had been rising since 2015; hate speech by politicians; human rights education; the need for a clear law on hate speech; investigations into hate crime attacks by Neo Nazis in 2024; investigations into hate speech political rhetoric, including by Ms. Finland; examples of hate speech in sports; and whether mitigating measures were being taken to assist vulnerable people to have access to education and jobs.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Finland had been named the happiest country in the world for the ninth year running. Reference had been made to a controversial issue around Ms. Finland who was stripped of her crown after racist gestures. Measures had been taken immediately in the aftermath, with the Prime Minister condemning the statement and issuing an apology.
Media roundtables had been held with media and Muslim youth to ascertain how they were portrayed in the media, resulting in the development of a mentoring programme. Workshops and peer support programmes had been developed to raise awareness around racism and provide psychological support to the victims. The ban on ethnic profiling was prevalent in all directive issues by the police force, and was integrated into the curricula of the force, complimented by training sessions. The police and Roma had also drafted a handbook together, under which the topic of ethnic profiling was discussed. Roma persons taught the handbook at the police college.
Human rights education began in early childhood education and went all the way through to university. Finland had an integration act which gave people the right to access services, support their language learning and become employed. The services were organised by the municipalities. There was also a policy document which contained 32 different measures to strengthen labour market participation.
The Criminal Code included multiple articles relevant to hate speech. Work on a legislative framework relating to xenophobia was ongoing.
Finland did not have long-term research on why racial discrimination had been rising. It could be due to the demographics of the country, as there were many rural regions where there were no immigrants, meaning they were not exposed to other groups of people. In general, Finnish people showed strong support to the promotion of human rights.
Statement by Follow-Up Rapporteur
GUN KUT, Committee Chairperson, reminded the delegation that the last concluding observations for Finland were adopted in 2017 and the State had been required to provide follow-up after one year on various issues. Finland was thanked for submitting the follow-up report on time. The topics highlighted for follow-up would be discussed tomorrow.
Questions by Committee Experts
MICHAL BALCERZAK, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee had taken note of the adoption in 2025 of the amended Sámi Parliament act and welcomed the State party’s efforts to strengthen the participation and self-government of the Sámi people. The Committee also welcomed the final report of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission, published in December 2025, and noted the Commission’s proposals addressing structural discrimination, language rights, land rights, governance and cultural revitalisation. The Committee had been impressed with the situation of the Sámi in the State party for some time.
However, the Committee remained concerned about reports that, despite the legislative reform, important questions concerning the Sámi electoral roll and the relationship between State authorities and the Sámi Parliament remained contested. Could the State party explain how the 2025 reform of the Sámi Parliament act implemented the Committee’s 2022 opinion in communication no. 59/2016? How did the State party ensure that the Sámi Parliament had genuine and effective influence over decisions concerning the Sámi people? What safeguards were in place to ensure that the definition of membership of the Sámi community and eligibility for the Sámi electoral roll respected the collective right of the Sámi people to determine matters concerning their own membership? What resources were allocated to the Sámi Parliament to enable it to exercise its responsibilities?
The Committee was also concerned by reports that the principle of free, prior and informed consent was not consistently incorporated into Finnish legislation and practice concerning land use, mineral exploration, mining, energy projects and other activities affecting Sámi traditional territories. In what circumstances was the consent of the Sámi people required before a project affecting Sámi lands, livelihoods, culture or traditional economic activities may proceed? How were cumulative impacts of multiple projects assessed? Was the State engaged in the revival of the Sámi language?
Despite efforts made by the State party, the Committee was concerned by evidence indicating high levels of racial discrimination experienced by people of African descent and Muslims in Finland, and also about reports of racist harassment and discrimination by politicians and persons holding public office.
What targeted measures had the State party adopted to address Afrophobia and anti-Muslim racism, beyond general anti-discrimination measures? What measures had been taken to address discrimination against people of African descent in employment, housing, education, healthcare and interactions with law-enforcement authorities? What measures had been taken to address anti-Muslim discrimination, including discrimination in employment, housing, access to services and racist rhetoric portraying Muslims as a security threat?
What mechanisms were available to investigate complaints concerning discriminatory statements or conduct by elected officials and other public officials?
SHAIKHA AL-MISNAD, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said the Committee noted the State party’s successive national Roma policies and measures aimed at improving Roma participation, education, employment, housing and access to services. Concerns persisted, however, about persistent anti-Gypsyism and the socio-economic inequalities experienced by Roma. What concrete results had been achieved under the most recent national Roma policy, particularly in reducing disparities in employment, education, housing and health? What measures had been adopted specifically to combat anti-Gypsyism as a distinct form of racism, including in public institutions, schools, the media and political discourse? What measures had been taken to address discrimination against Roma in access to housing and employment, including discriminatory treatment based on names, appearance or traditional Roma clothing? How were Roma communities involved in designing, implementing and evaluating policies concerning them?
One study examining the Finnish national core curriculum found that the curriculum continued to emphasise Eurocentric historical narratives and did not explicitly recognise or adequately represent minority groups in Finland. Despite efforts to improve educational opportunities for the Sami people, Sami children continued to face multiple challenges, including living outside the designated Sami homeland areas. Roma children also faced several challenges in schooling, including high dropout rates, grade repetition and frequent school absences.
What were the enrolment rates of Sami, Roma, other minority, refugee, immigrant and asylum-seeking children in Finland's education system at the primary, secondary and higher education levels? What efforts was the State party making to revitalise the Sami and Roma languages? What measures had been taken to address low enrolment rates, school failure and dropout rates among children from Sami, Roma, non-citizen, refugee, migrant and asylum seeker groups, particularly at the secondary and post-secondary levels of education?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Finland was currently carrying out an inventory of all old growth and natural forests in Finland, including Sami homeland, to establish a knowledge base for the protection of these forests. This process had also included dialogue and consultations with the Sami Parliament.
The Sami Parliament act had been a difficult project, with three committees working on it over the years to reach the goal. It entered into force last year in August. Discussions on proposals had been held with the Sami Parliament and they had accepted the act. One of the main goals of the project was to promote the realisation of the self determination of the Sami people. The discussion of Forest Sami had been recently raised and was quite a debated term.
Currently, the election committee of the Sami Parliament was reviewing all electoral roles to apply new criteria for the elections next year. The resources of the Sami Parliament had been increased to enable them to hold more negotiations in a timely manner. Training had been organised in close coordination with the Sami Parliament to support the authorities.
The Government had not been active in trying to revive the Sami language. There were three Sami languages in Finland, and there were challenges in trying to support these. The Government had developed the Sami languages act and would consult with the Sami Parliament on this topic.
Authorities were required to engage with the Sami Parliament when they assessed the impact of mining and extractive projects. Changes had been made to the mining act and the Government decree on mining, which entered into force following consultations with the Sami Parliament. There were now more details required for mining permits concerning the activities on the culture in the Sami areas. Distance learning resources had been strengthened, recognising that the majority of Sami children and youth were living outside the homeland areas.
Finland relied on the implementation of the non-discrimination act to combat discrimination against people of African descent. Work was also done with civil society in this regard. The State had also provided substantial funding to Somali and Muslim organizations for their advocacy work, and to create equal access to services. An event for the Second Decade for People of African Descent was planned for the African diaspora in Finland. The Ministry of Justice was organising a “training of the trainers” to gain information on legal remedies in the communities.
Finland’s third national policy ran from 2023 to 2030. A project “Let us talk about participation” promoted cooperation between Roma and public authorities. When health services were being developed for Roma, particular attention was paid to culturally sensitive models and gaining trust from communities. Events had been organised with Romani students and pupils, taking into account their experiences and views, to enhance equity in schools and educational institutions. A survey was launched last year which indicated some positive developments in school participation and engagement, although work still needed to be done. The compulsory schools act launched in Finland last year mandated education for all students up to the age of 18.
Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions, including on data on Roma students; the Indigenous Peoples Convention; addressing rising Afro-phobia in the State party; if the change to the mining law included the free, prior and informed consent of the Sami people; what mechanisms had been developed to recognise the rights of the Sami people to own and develop their traditional resources; what was being done to counter salmon restrictions; the proposed railway line which would cut through Sami land; if the history of colonialism was taught in schools; and what was happening for the Second Decade for People of African Descent.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said representatives of the monitoring network had been invited to Government working group meetings to participate in discussions relating to the implementation of the action plan for persons of African descent. Awareness raising was being conducted in schools for the Second Decade for People of African Descent. Discretion was left to teachers for them to decide what to promote in their classes. Education on colonialism was included throughout the curriculum.
According to data, salmon stocks had declined since 2019. The adverse impacts of the fishing ban on local communities had been mitigated through the granting of cultural permits, which allowed for the limited use of salmon fishing spears. Finland conducted an annual consultation process with the Sami Parliament to assess the needs for changes in these rivers, and ensure indigenous perspectives were included in fishery management. Traditional fishing methods had been adopted as part of a project to target pink salmon and minimise the overfishing of Atlantic salmon.
Authorities were now required to pay greater attention to the impact of mining projects on Sami livelihoods. Consultations were carried out with the Sami population in this regard.
The Artic Ocean rail project referenced by the Committee currently did not exist, but there was another project aiming to connect Finland to Sweden and Lapland.
Questions by Committee Experts
SHAIKHA AL-MISNAD, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said some reports indicated that Finland's migration and asylum policies had shifted towards stricter restrictions. In December 2024, the Government extended the emergency act, allowing the suspension of the right to seek asylum at the eastern border with Russia and introducing stricter requirements for family reunification. The Government had also tightened regulations governing work permits for foreign nationals. Since September 2024, reductions in social assistance benefits had affected marginalised groups, including low-income individuals and persons with disabilities.
The Government had also significantly reduced its refugee quota to 500 a year as of 2024, and introduced legislative amendments that rolled back certain protections within migration and asylum policies. This included compromising the fairness of asylum procedures by no longer systematically verifying the accuracy of interview records; restricting the rights of individuals under international protection to visit their countries of origin; and imposing more stringent requirements for obtaining citizenship and tightening the conditions for granting permanent residence permits.
What had been the impact of recent legislative changes affecting non-citizens and the temporary measures adopted to manage international migration? Could updated statistics be provided on asylum applications and their outcomes, the average duration of administrative detention, and the number of asylum seekers held in police or detention facilities? What measures had been taken to ensure the well-being of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, including access to adequate healthcare services, employment opportunities, family reunification and social assistance? What measures had the State party taken to prevent and combat violence in reception centres? New legislation which restricted access to healthcare for undocumented migrants to emergency only had come into force in early 2026; could the delegation comment on this?
MICHAL BALCERZAK, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee was concerned about the situation in Eastern Europe in general. Unfortunately, migrants were often victims of weaponisation, not by the State concerned; what was the State’s views on this and what was the general situation at the border? It was deeply saddening that migrants were used in this way.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the border crossing points on the land border between Russia and Finland had been closed since December 2023. Applications for international protection could be submitted at other open border points in Finland. The Government had renewed its decision on border crossing points on the eastern border, and this decision would remain in force until further notice. It was not possible to enter Finland via a border crossing point which was closed; however, the needs and rights of vulnerable persons would be taken into account. Border guards were well trained in this regard.
The Finnish Immigration Council examined each asylum application, after which they could be granted international protection or denied a stay in the country. Instrumentalised migration had ceased for now at Finland’s eastern border. Last year, the act to combat instrumentalised migration came into force for one year, with a project in place to extend it further. The act had not yet been applied in any situation; this would only occur in a very severe situation. It lay down the conditions under which Finland could decide to restrict applications for international protection in a limited area. There were certain exceptions, including if someone was in a vulnerable position.
After 2021, nearly 24,000 asylum decisions had been made by the Finnish immigration services, with around 43 per cent granted a residence permit, and around 26 per cent being rejected. The rest were declared inadmissible or expired. Iraq, Somalia, Ukraine and Afghanistan were the most prevalent nationalities to apply for asylum in Finland. All migration legislative reforms were implemented in full compliance with Finland’s human rights obligations. Persons fleeing war continued to have the right to seek asylum in Finland.
Tightening requirements for Finnish residency and citizenship aimed to encourage immigrants to learn the Finnish language. There had been no amendments to the refugee quotas in recent years. Asylum seekers in Finland were housed in reception centres, designed to provide services, including healthcare and interpretation, among others. The centres were required to take appropriate measures to prevent assault and violence.
Until the end of 2022, public healthcare providers were only obligated to provide emergency healthcare for undocumented migrants or those without a residence permit. However, a new section in the Finnish act granted undocumented migrants access to necessary non-emergency care, with children under the age of 18 granted the same level of health care as Finnish citizens.
Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions, including if the practice of children from other nationalities being taken away from their parents was still carried out; concrete measures developed to address the needs of migrant women, Sami and Roma; how these measures were designed in consultation with the women concerned; occupational segregation faced by minority women; how culturally friendly the kindergartens were; whether gender-based violence was considered a public health risk; if there was collaboration between modern medicine and the traditional medicine of the Sami people; if the Sami people had the option to seek traditional medical options; and if Roma and migrants who could not communicate in Finnish could seek healthcare options.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said language barrier issues were common in Finland, but there were solutions. If a reception centre was full or far away, a person could be hosted at a police detention facility (for four days maximum) or border centre (for two days maximum). Children could never be hosted there. Finland did not have statistics on ethnicity and nationality in terms of gender-based violence as it was treated as a situation the country needed to address as a whole. Police were instructed on how to carry out risk assessment of domestic violence situations. A detailed manual was provided on how to carry out investigations on domestic violence.
The main national plan to prevent violence against women was the national action plan for the Istanbul Convention. The current action plan covered from 2026 to 2033 and included 37 measures to protect women and respond to domestic violence, including strengthening the response to intersectionality (such as ethnic background) in violence. A separate action plan existed to protect from female genital mutilation.
Finland was currently preparing for the adoption of the European Union directive on domestic violence, which covered the rights of victims in criminal proceedings and protection of victims. The Government funded victim support services, including a helpline, which were provided nationwide, both online, over the phone and at service points.
The integration act set out integration measures offered to people moving to Finland, including a personal integration plan and the possibility to participate in personal integration training. The reform of the child home care allowance plan would support increased possibilities for migrant women to enter employment. New tools had been provided to reach migrant women staying home with their children. Multi-lingual guidance was provided in the municipalities and different employment pathways were being developed. The Finnish early childhood education curriculum ensured cultural sensitivity as a core element.
According to the Government’s report, the number of Sami speakers who were employed had increased. New Sami language services across municipal boundaries had been launched to reach a wider number of Sami speakers.
Service providers were obligated to have an equality plan, and the Government had developed tools to assist employers in drawing up equality plans.
Support for anti-racism initiatives in sports had been active for many years. The “Red Card” campaign was implemented in cooperation with the football players union. There had been specific funding for municipal funding promoting cooperation in sports. When cases of racism were identified, organizations could be required to provide explanations, which could impact further funding decisions. One referee was the first in Finland to suspend a football match due to racist abuse from spectators. He had been awarded the Mental Health Award in recognition of this.
Concluding Statements
MICHAL BALCERZAK, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, expressed appreciation to Finland for the open dialogue, which was useful in identifying areas where further attention was required. Mr. Balcerzak thanked all those who had made the dialogue possible and stood ready to continue the dialogue with the State party.
KRISTA OINONEN, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the open, constructive and engaging dialogue. The review was an opportunity for Finland to reflect critically on its own policies and identify where improvements were needed. For the first time, a dedicated budget of six million euros had been allocated to combat racism. The global backlash against human rights was making the task of combatting racism more challenging. The work of the Committee was invaluable, with the dialogue allowing Finland to look at familiar challenges from a different perspective.
GUN KUT, Committee Chairperson, thanked Finland for including a person from the legislature in its delegation, and for paying its United Nations regular contributions for this year in full in the first 30 days of the year.
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