Human Rights Ambassador Rauno Merisaari: Universal human rights are worth protecting
Finland’s international human rights profile has recently attracted much discussion at the highest level of government. There have been some notes of caution that human rights should not be promoted blindly and self-complacently.
Rauno Merisaari, who took up his position as Human Rights Ambassador at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the beginning of September, says it’s important that human rights issues are discussed not only by human rights stakeholders, but more widely.
“There’s definitely been progress in this regard: it’s no longer questioned whether human rights are part of our foreign policy, but the focus has shifted to how human rights should be promoted in our international relations. I hope this debate and discussion can continue,” Merisaari says
Respect for international law is in Finland’s interests
The new Human Rights Ambassador insists that greater clarity is needed around the relationship between human rights, values and interests. Human rights are not about Western values, even though it is traditionally in Western countries that they are highlighted.
Human rights are universal, and this principle is enshrined in legally binding international conventions that have been adopted by countries in both east and west and north and south.
“For a country the size of Finland or for people in underprivileged positions it’s important that international commitments are complied with. Otherwise the strong will prevail ever more and more," Merisaari believes.
Therefore the universality of human rights is in Finland’s interests, too.
“It’s absolutely clear that the values embodied in our Constitution are reflected in how we give prominence to women and the most marginalised groups and in how we emphasise social and economic rights, for example. But again, these are based on what has been internationally agreed.”
Maintaining contact with civil society
A major strength of the Finnish human rights approach, Merisaari maintains, is that we are prepared to admit and discuss our own shortcomings and to show and tell others about our successes, without insisting that they follow suit.
Finland’s reports to international human rights bodies on the constructive interaction we have between public authorities and civil society have also attracted much interest.
“I try to apply this principle in my own job to make sure there is open communication and exchange between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and civil society. This means we are better placed to deliver our longer term objectives, too.”
The Human Rights Ambassador’s role includes the international representation of Finland and various processes of political negotiation, such as drafting the Government’s human rights report and European Romani policy.
Democracy policy is another area that has been passed down to Merisaari by his predecessor.
“It’s a solid foundation to work from, in two ways. Firstly we’ve just adopted the Foreign Service’s human rights strategy and action plan, which means we’re clear about the bigger picture: our aim is to reduce discrimination and to increase openness. And Ambassador Ann-Marie Nyroos, who has been transferred to Copenhagen, left me with a sound legacy for my role as Human Rights Ambassador.”