UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issues recommendations to Finland

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) welcomes several reforms implemented in Finland, highlighting the reform of the Act on the Sámi Parliament, the adoption of several national action plans and the discussion of international human rights recommendations and decisions. At the same time, the Committee makes recommendations to Finland on issues including combating racist hate speech and ethnic profiling and safeguarding the rights of the Sámi, the Roma and non-citizens.

All States Parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination submit periodic reports to the Committee on their progress in implementing the Convention. The Committee considered Finland’s combined 24–26 periodic reports in Geneva on 17–18 August and adopted its concluding observations on 25 August 2026.

The Committee welcomes the reform of the Act on the Sámi Parliament, the amendments to the Non-Discrimination Act, and the national action plans relating to fundamental and human rights, measures against racism, and Roma policy. It also welcomes the consideration of international human rights recommendations and decisions and particularly the completion of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sámi People.

The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of racist hate speech and recommends that Finland expedite the ongoing reform of the Criminal Code to ensure compliance with the obligations under article 4 of the Convention. With regard to ethnic profling, the Committee recommends that Finland adopt legislation that explicitly prohibits such profiling during police and other law enforcement operations. The Committee highlights the particular importance of the recommendations on hate speech, hate crimes, ethnic profiling and violence against women and girls.

With regard to the Sámi, the Committee recommends, among other things, that Finland ensure that they can genuinely participate in decision-making processes and that no decisions affecting the Sámi are taken without obtaining their free, prior and informed consent. It urges Finland to strengthen the protection of the rights of the Sámi in relation to their traditional lands, natural resources and livelihoods. Regarding the Roma, the Committee recommends measures to combat discrimination, especially in employment, housing, education and healthcare.

The Committee also notes the recent legislative changes affecting non-citizens. It recommends that legislation be reviewed to ensure that it is not discriminatory in purpose or effect in a manner prohibited by the Convention. According to the Committee, access to the asylum procedure and the principle of non-refoulement should be guaranteed at all times.

Finland is requested to provide, within two years, follow-up information on its implementation of the recommendations on the traditional lands and livelihoods of the Sámi, the situation of the Roma and the access of non-citizens to social security and social services. The next periodic report is due to be submitted by 13 August 2031.

• Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination