ECRI released its second follow-up report on Finland
Finland has in the last few years adopted a number of significant measures in the field of combating racism and intolerance, according to the report. These measures include initiatives to improve the integration of immigrants into Finnish society, the introduction in 2001 of a National Programme against Ethnic Discrimination and Racism, improved legislation in the field of employment and education, and the increased participation of minority groups in the development of policies and measures of concern to them.
There is a growing recognition that Finland is today a society comprising many different groups, both "traditional" minorities and minorities of immigrant origin, says the report. However, prejudice and intolerance towards minorities still exist, manifesting itself in discrimination in a number of fields, including employment, housing and education, as well as in instances of harassment and sometimes racial violence. Occasionally there are problems related to the conduct and activities of authorities. Anti-discriminatory legislation has not always been taken into consideration in decision-making, says the report, despite the fact that the discrimination of minorities, such as the Roma and many minorities of immigrant origin, is a serious problem in many areas. It is also stated in the report that national initiatives against racism and discrimination are not always implemented locally.
The ECRI recommends that the Finnish authorities take action in a number of fields. It recommends, inter alia, a more effective implementation of legislative provisions in force to combat racism and discrimination and the introduction of further provisions in this field. Awareness by the representatives of minority groups of their rights and existing legislation should be improved and, furthermore, legislation and procedures concerning asylum-seekers should be made more exact. Human rights education for authorities and schools should be increased.
What is ECRI?
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is a body of the Council of Europe, composed of independent members. Its aim is to combat racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance at a pan-European level and from the angle of the protection of human rights. One of the main fields of activity of the ECRI is to monitor the state of affairs in the member states and to provide proposals to solve problems detected.
The second follow-up report on Finland is based on discussions and observations made during a contact visit to Finland on 18-21 September, 2001. The General Assembly of the ECRI adopted the report on Finland on 14 December, 2001. The reports of the ECRI become public two months after having been brought to the notice of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe unless decided otherwise by the states concerned.
More information: Counsellor Johan Schalin, Unit for Human Rights Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, tel: +358 9 160 55323.
Report by the ECRI on Finland(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.)