The Ministry of Justice oversees the structures of democracy and the fundamental rights of citizens. Legislation regarding participation and elections is drafted in the Ministry of Justice.

Citizens can participate in the preparation of legislation and different kinds of projects by commenting current issues on the website Otakantaa.fi where citizens can discuss and follow projects.

According to the Act on citizens' initiative at least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an act to the Parliament. Initiatives can be launched in the online service Kansalaisaloite.fi.

Information about Finnish elections, electoral legislation and political parties can be found in English on the website Vaalit.fi.

Otakantaa.fi
Kansalaisaloite.fi
Vaalit.fi

Information about the judicial system, i.e. Finnish courts, prosecution service, legal aid and enforcement, is available in English on the website Oikeus.fi. The site contains, among other things, information about judicial procedures and applying for legal aid. Additionally, the site contains different kinds of forms for citizens.

Suomi.fi is a service provided by the Finnish public administration that contains e-services and forms for citizens, information about public services and news from the public administration. It contains useful information and guidance according to topics relevant in different phases of life.

Oikeus.fi
Suomi.fi

The web service Finlex is a public database which provides judicial material free of charge. The service includes legislation, case law, government proposals, secondary legislation and international treaties. It also contains translations of Finnish acts and decrees.

Finlex.fi

The Criminal Sanctions Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Justice, is the executive authority for the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment and community sanctions. The Criminal Sanctions Agency aims to prevent recidivism and increase security in the society.

The aim of crime prevention is to reduce crime and its effects and to increase safety and the sense of security in the society. Special goals within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice include preventing recidivism and decreasing violence.

Violence is prevented through cooperation with other actors and local crime prevention projects. Citizen participation in developing a safe environment is encouraged. Efforts are also made to improve the position of crime victims.

Criminal Sanctions Agency
National Council for Crime Prevention
Website on safety planning (in Finnish)
Website on decreasing violence (in Finnish)