A/HRC/WG.6/1/FIN/4
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assessment. The asylum-seeker is provided with fundamental procedural guarantees and always has
the right of appeal and to file a petition with the Helsinki Administrative Court for the suspension of
the enforcement of a decision on refusal of entry. The principle of non-refoulement is always taken
into account in the enforcement of decisions. The Government is aware of the concerns raised about
the accelerated procedure. When an asylum application was dealt with in an accelerated procedure,
the applicant has eight days to appeal to the administrative court, during which time the
administrative court suspended the execution of the decision to deport the person. The Ministry of
Interior had started on a project in November 2007, and this issue was addressed as part of that
project, which was to be completed by the end of April 2008, and as a result of which there could be
some new proposals on those matters.
26. The Head of Delegation stated that Finland was proud of the tradition of the Ombudsman
system in Nordic countries and that Finland’s preliminary thoughts were positive on the question of
the establishment of a national human rights institution. The Finnish Government pursued actively
the enhancement of the rights of the Sámi people. The objective of the present Government was to
solve the issue of the land use question during the current term of the Government. The preparation
of a Government bill was ongoing and there are active negotiations between the Ministry of Justice,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Sámi Parliament, which is a necessary partner in
such negotiations. The point of departure was to ensure the culture of the Sámi people and the right
of Sámi to use the land they traditionally occupy or where they traditionally live. Another question
related to the right of Sámi people to participate in decision-making on the use of the land in the
Sámi homeland area. The aim of the Government was to find a solution that would include the
prerequisites to ratify ILO Convention No. 169. Another ongoing project in Finland concerning the
rights of Sámi is the establishment of a new Sámi cultural centre, which was to be built in the
Laapland, in the Sámi homeland. This was a major financial project and the Government had
reserved nearly 12 million euros for the project. The new premises will be used by the Sámi
Parliament and also by various Sámi NGOs, etc.
27. The Head of Delegation agreed about the importance of raising people’s awareness of their
human rights and that more efforts are required to better incorporate human rights in children’s
education in Finland and enhance the general awareness of groups in society, women and children,
of their own rights.
28. Pakistan stated that Finland was a tolerant society, which has done much for the promotion
and protection of human rights. It has developed a number of modern institutions and mechanisms
for that purpose, which provide for the necessary checks and balances. It stated that even within the
Nordic countries, Finland can be cited as an example for handling diversity, and that Finland had a
proactive approach to the promotion and protection of human rights within its territory, but also
regionally and internationally. It noted the range of steps taken by the Government of Finland to
ensure the implementation of the human rights of its citizens, without discrimination on any
grounds. It noted that the existing advisory boards and human rights policy reports were all
welcome steps and can be considered as good practices. Pakistan was also encouraged by the
honest acknowledgement of problems faced such as racist and xenophobic tendencies in society,
discrimination against migrants, minorities and other vulnerable groups including women, children
and disabled as well as excessive lengthy judicial proceedings hindering speedy justice. While
acknowledging the transparent and democratic approach of Finland in dealing with these issues, it
requested information on how Finland intends to deal with these issues in a comprehensive manner
in accordance with existing human rights standards.
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