Foreign Minister Stubb asks hip-hop artist Signmark to be his special representative for promoting the rights of people with disability

Press Release 274/2010
24 September 2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb today invited hip-hop artist Signmark (Marko Vuoriheimo) to serve as his special representative for promoting the rights of people with disability. The special representative will present the human rights issues of people with disability at various international forums. Through his music, Signmark spreads the message of tolerance and respect for equality and difference. The goal is also to link Signmark with the networks promoting the human rights of people with disability and supported by Finland.

“By acting for equality and tolerance, we want to give everyone the same opportunities to develop their own abilities and to contribute to the workings of society in their own way. Signmark has shown that everything is possible, and he is an excellent model for all of us,” Foreign Minister Stubb said from the UN General Assembly.

In the Government Report on the Human Rights Policy of Finland, submitted to the Finnish Parliament in September 2009, respect for the rights of people with disability and implementation of these rights have been laid down as one of the focal points of Finland’s international human rights policy. In this area, Finland plays an important role as a pioneer, for instance, within the UN system and in international financial institutions.

Additional information: Sofie From-Emmesberger, Head of the Unit for Human Rights Policy of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 568 8641
Requests for interviews of the Foreign Minister: Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 732 8340
Requests for interviews of Signmark: Nuppu Stenros, mobile tel. +358 45 677 3642, [email protected]