Rights of the Sámi people Ministry of Justice safeguards the rights of the Sámi people The Ministry of Justice supports the development of Sámi cultural autonomy and coordinates the handling of Sámi rights across the ministries. The Ministry of Ju...

Rights of the Sámi people Ministry of Justice safeguards the rights of the Sámi people The Ministry of Justice supports the development of Sámi cultural autonomy and coordinates the handling of Sámi rights across the ministries. The Ministry of Ju...

The national Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations The national level Etno works under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice , Mr. Antti Leinonen chairs the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board has thr...

Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations ETNO The Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) serves as a national forum for dialogue between immigrants, ethnic minorities, authorities, political parties and civil society organisations. The Government a...

Call for applications for organisations until 7 February 2025 A call for applications for organisations to become members of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) for the 2025–2029 term has ended. The member organisations for both the nat...

EU funding programmes for 2021–2027 In 2021–2027, EU funding in the area of justice will consist of two different funding programmes: the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) and the Justice Programme. Together, these programmes ...

In accordance with the Language Act (423/2003), the Government submits a report to Parliament each parliamentary term on the application of language legislation and the realisation of linguistic rights as well as, where necessary, on other linguistic conditions. In addition to Finnish and Swedish, the report discusses at least the Sámi, Romani and sign languages.

The goal of the project is to facilitate the participation of children and young people in policy-making at the national level. The goal is to develop methods, gather best practices and produce training materials on child participation and to provide relevant training for public authorities. The project in Finland is part of the joint European CP4Europe project, which is coordinated by the Council of Europe.

Female genital mutilation will be more explicitly criminalised in the Criminal Code. Taking a minor girl abroad to undergo female genital mutilation will also be criminalised. In the same context, Chapter 21, section 4 of the Criminal Code (infanticide) will be repealed as unnecessary.

Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) The Government has appointed a new Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) for a four-year term from 27 January 2022 to 26 January 2026. The Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy works under the...

We work for a strong rule of law The updated strategy of the Ministry of Justice strengthens the role of the Ministry of Justice as the ministry responsible for the rule of law and democracy. The six impact objectives of the strategy form the key ...

Act on the Openness of Government Activities Brochure Which documents are governed by the Act? Public authorities whose documents are governed by the Act on the Openness of Government Activities include, for example state administrative authoritie...

Finland – a state governed by the rule of law Finnish democracy is built on the rule of law. The rule of law and respect for fundamental rights are key principles enshrined in the Constitution of Finland. Finland is also committed to these princip...

18.6.2025 | Today, the Government appointed the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) for the next four-year term 2025–2029.

4.2.2025 | Etnon hakuinfo Infomöte om organisationsansökan till Etno Info meeting on call for applications for organizations to ETNO Aloitamme klo 15.30 Tervetuloa – välkommen - welcome! Ohjelma tänään - program idag - program today Mikä on Etno? Etnon tavoi...

3.10.2022 | A truly multi-voiced civil society reinforces democracy and the crisis tolerance of society as a whole. In its new strategy, published today, as well as its Govern Programme objectives, the Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) emphasises the importance of dynamism and autonomy in our changing world.

15.6.2022 | The voice of immigrants and multilingual Finns is not being heard in decision-making and public debate. A report published today by the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) examines what kind of barriers to participation and exerting influence in society there are among immigrants and multilingual Finns and presents solutions for removing them.

17.12.2020 | The Government appointed the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) for the next four-year term 2020–2024 today.

15.3.2022 | The secretariat of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations has been contacted a number of times regarding hate speech and harassment directed towards Russian speakers living in Finland. The Advisory Board condemns all racism, hate speech and other harassment against people of Russian origin, Russian speakers and people from the former Soviet Union in Finland. Adults are responsible for ensuring that there is zero tolerance for intimidation and bullying against children and young people.

3.5.2024 | 1 Po lic y br ie f Finnish democracy policy in the 2020s 3 Po lic y br ie f 2 Po lic y br ie f Policies and proposed measures The government resolution on Finnish demo- cracy policy in the 2020s outlines the long- term goals for democracy policy i...