Minister of Justice Henriksson: Reform of Sámi Parliament Act continues

Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson met with representatives of the Sámi Parliament and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in Inari today. According to Minister Henriksson, there is still work to be done in Finland in order to safeguard the rights of the Sámi as an indigenous people and their linguistic rights.

“The Government continues its work to reform the Act on the Sámi Parliament. A preparatory working group was appointed in January with the task of assessing the amendment needs,” Minister of Justice Henriksson said in connection with the preparatory meeting of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Last year, the UN Human Rights Committee considered that Finland has violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. According to the Human Rights Committee, the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland should not have admitted persons into the electoral roll for election to the Sámi Parliament against the decision of the Sámi Parliament.

“We take the views of the UN Human Rights Committee seriously. The Government has already informed the Human Rights Committee of the measures to be taken and will keep the Committee posted about the situation. The Government Programme includes a number of measures for promoting the realisation of the linguistic and cultural rights of the Sámi people.”

The preparatory meeting of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is held in Inari this week. The meeting is attended by 16 members of the UNPFII from around the world.

Inquiries:

Malin Brännkärr, State Secretary, tel. +358 40 534 7727, [email protected]

Niklas Mannfolk, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 306 3990, [email protected]