Non-discrimination

Participants explained that there was a good legal framework on non-discrimination, notably based on the Constitution, the Equality Act, and the Non-Discrimination Act. All authorities had the obligation to promote equality, notably through the development of an equality plan, which some participants felt were sometimes too generic and needed more focus on implementation. Participants also regretted that the non-discrimination Ombudsman could not work on labour issues because the Ombudsman's mandate did not entail employment matters, nor allow for taking up complaints concerning private employers. The Finnish authorities indicated that the Non-Discrimination Act was 
under partial review based on the recommendations of two working groups, which included measures to increase equality education starting at a young age, and more possibilities for the NonDiscrimination Ombudsman or other parties promoting equality to take a matter to the National Non - Discrimination and Equality Tribunal without the individual that has been a victim of discrimination – among others.

Participants explained that there was no definition of hate crime and hate speech under law, only aggravating circumstances leading to harsher sanctions. They added that only a very small minority of victims of hate speech or hate crime reported them to the police, and in the few cases that were reported, the investigation rate was very low. They felt that hate speech had been amplified and legitimised by far-right politicians and supporters, targeting women, LGBTIQ persons and ethnic minoritiesin particular, and that freedom of expression or freedom of religion was used as an excuse for such hate speech. Participants supported more awareness rising and capacity building among police and justice personnel to be able to better reach out to victims of hate speech.

Some participants explained that the needs of people with disabilities were systematically taken into consideration in town planning and construction, but that this did not, however, always prevent negligence or unconscious decisions that led to unintentional exclusion. They also regretted the fact that inclusion throughout the labour market was low because of discrimination and a lack of personal assistance. Children with disabilities faced higher levels of bullying at school compared to the rest of the child population, along with other groups such as LGBTIQ youth. The Finnish authorities informed that the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 
(CRPD) was carried out in close collaboration with organisations of people with disabilities. They acknowledged the key issue of discrimination in the area of employment, which was largely the result of individual attitudes. Legislation provided for measuresto promote equality and to ensure reasonable accommodation, and would be further reinforced by the implementation of the EU Accessibility Act.

One participant believed that despite the existence of good regulations on discrimination, the persistence of structural discrimination in society was still preventing the full integration of migrants through work. The parallel processes to get residence and work permits were burdensome and sometimes treated inconsistently by the administration. There was also an unjustified difference in treatment between Ukrainian asylum seekers, who were granted temporary residence, and other groups of asylum seekers. The latter did not benefit from equal support and faced daily hurdles, for example not being able to open a bank account. These asylum seekers had to submit their claim for asylum at specific points such as crossing points at the border or police stations, contrary to the previous practice allowing asylum claims to be filed throughout the country.

Participants explained that people with ethnic minority backgrounds often found themselves stuck in professions that they would not have wanted to follow. Additionally, surveys have proven the existence of workplace discrimination based on ethnic background. Surveys have also proven the existence of ethnic profiling in police practices. The indigenous Sami's right to free, prior and informed consent was not fully implemented. One participant explained that self determination to quit the religion assigned at birth was normally not possible before reaching the age of majority (18), which entailed constraintsin terms of taxes and religious teaching at school. 

Participants explained that COVID-19 had impacted women more than men. Women represented the majority of staff in sectors such as the health sector. It was also indicated that Finland had one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, obliging those seeking an abortion to give justified healthcare reasons, and to obtain the approval of two doctors before starting the process. Participants believed
that the anti-gender movement was on the rise in Finland, which hindered women's participation in social and political life, including in elections. The Finnish authorities acknowledged that despite the very good societal protection offered by welfare and equality policies during the crisis, COVID-19 also highlighted long-term challenges such as labour market gender segregation, domestic violence, and unequal domestic care. Concerning abortion, the Finnish authorities informed that a review of the 1970 law was ongoing, following a citizen initiative which gathered enough signatures to put the question on the Parliament's agenda.

One participant informed that Finland did not yet have a comprehensive LGBTIQ strategy or action plan. A key issue was the significantly low level of reporting of hate speech and hate crime against LGBTIQ people. Another challenge concerned transsexual people, who were required to be infertile and undergo a psychiatric diagnosis to have their gender legally recognised. One participant called for the adoption of a law to protect intersex children to allow for interventionsrelated to their health when necessary, while leaving non-vital interventions for a later time when they would be in a position to make a self-determined choice. The Finnish authorities acknowledged the growing demand and need for an LGBTIQ strategy, and recognised that further action was needed to facilitate the legal recognition of transgender people.