A/HRC/21/8
expressed its concern over the fact that children were taken away from families and placed
in children’s institutions based on arbitrary and groundless decisions. It referred to
information provided by NGOs about insufficient professional training for the staff working
in those institutions. The Russian Federation also expressed concern over the compulsory
hospitalization of patients in psychiatric institutions. The Russian Federation made a
recommendation.
39.
Slovakia noted the broad and open national consultation process in the process of
preparation of its report. It commended Finland for being among the first group of countries
to sign the Optional Protocol to CRC on a communication procedure. Slovakia noted with
appreciation the establishment of an independent human rights centre and associated human
rights delegation attached to the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, jointly
constituting Finland’s National Human Rights Institution. Slovakia made
recommendations.
40.
Slovenia welcomed the fact that Finland had taken meaningful steps to fulfil its
commitments from the first cycle of the review, and that a gender perspective was
integrated into the UPR follow-up process. It welcomed Finland’s commitment regarding
human rights at the national and international level. In particular, it welcomed the
leadership role of Finland in the process leading to adoption of a new Optional Protocol to
CRC on a communications procedure, signed by Finland in 2012. Slovenia made
recommendations.
41.
Spain noted the strong commitment of Finland to the promotion and protection of
human rights, which perfectly complemented its foreign policy both bilaterally and
internationally, with particular emphasis on the United Nations system. Internally, Finland
had rigorous constitutional protection and a number of independent bodies monitoring
compliance of its human rights obligations and exercising control over public
administration. Spain made recommendations.
42.
Sweden welcomed the Finnish National Action Plan for Human Rights adopted in
March 2012 and the establishment of a Finnish National Centre for Human Rights. Sweden
referred to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on the excessively lengthy
trial proceedings and other violations of article 6 of the European Convention of Human
Rights. It also mentioned the criticism that the Finnish Immigration Service faced with
regard to the deportation of asylum seekers to countries where their safety was challenged,
even with the risk of torture. Sweden made recommendations.
43.
Thailand highlighted Finland’s efforts to prevent discrimination and violence against
women and children. It commended the establishment of a national human rights institution
and Human Rights National Action Plan. Thailand welcomed Finland’s efforts to promote
non-discrimination for the Roma population and urged Finland to further promote the rights
of all minorities. It appreciated Finland’s victim-centred approach to combating trafficking
in persons and its efforts to review procedures relating to asylum seekers. Thailand made
recommendations.
44.
Ukraine praised Finland for the truly multi-participant approach in preparing its
national report, which had enabled all interested national human rights actors, including
civil society, to provide their views and assessments of the Finnish human rights situation.
It made a recommendation.
45.
Finland confirmed that the CRPD and its Optional Protocol would be ratified once
two working groups set up to prepare legislation for ratification and to consider the legal
obstacles to ratification had completed their work in autumn 2012. A draft bill on the new
legislation should be ready for the submission to the Parliament at the earliest in autumn
2013.
8
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