Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja: Finland promotes human rights actively


Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja would like to enhance the role of human rights in the Finnish foreign policy. He also welcomes the inputs of citizens. "Transparency and dialogue with the civil society are an integral part of the government´s human rights policy."

Tuomioja presented a new report on the government's human rights policy to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, 29 November. It is a sequel as well as a follow-up on the report presented by the government initially two years ago. The report includes examples on means to promote human rights in various countries such as Turkey, Iraq and the United States.

The focus of the Finnish human rights policy lies on the rights of women, children, minorities and indigenous people. In addition, the rights of the disabled, human trade and torture are of special importance. Finland also works actively to abolish capital punishment and racism in the world.

The definitions of the previous report remain sustainable, but there are also new challenges, noted Tuomioja. The human rights perspective must be sharpened particularly in the fields of globalisation and crisis management. Bioethics and a healthy environment require swift progress in the adjustment of human rights norms.

According to Tuomioja, Finnish activity in international arena is commendable. Particular progress has been made in the promotion of minority, indigenous and women´s rights in cooperation with non-governmental organisations. "In fact, I consider the participation of the various groups themselves as the key question with regard to successful policy-making."

As the president of the EU last year, Finland succeeded in increasing transparency and coherence in the Union´s human rights policy. The EU´s annual human rights report and the discussion forum as well as a significant increase in contacts with the NGOs were initiated during the Finnish presidency. The EU´s activities to abolish capital punishment were visible, also vis-à-vis the United States.

In connection with the first report, the Finnish government made a commitment to report on the progress of its human rights policy at regular intervals. The report is prepared by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and discussed at the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament. The next report is due in 2002. One of the primary objectives of the reports is to increase transparency and dialogue with the civil society.

More information: Ann-Marie Nyroos, Director, Unit for Human Rights Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel: 09 - 1341 6551.

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