Norwegian recommendations in UPR on Finland 23 May
We welcome the delegation of Finland, and the presentation of the national report.
Norway commends Finland for being a leading Human Rights player by contributing to the development of international instruments. We appreciate Finland’s commitment to comply with international obligations and to promote human rights through international partnerships. Finland’s efforts in promoting disability issues also deserve particular credit.
In the past year there have been numerous accounts of tragic family homicide in Finland. According to studies, Finland has one of the highest levels of domestic violence in Western Europe, with 40 % of women having experienced violence by men. While we note the adoption of a National Action Plan to prevent violence against women, we recommend Finland to further step up the efforts and to allocate sufficient funds to ensure the effective implementation of the action plan as well as to broaden the action plan to cover domestic violence.
Norway takes note that concerns have been raised regarding overcrowding the immigration detention facility in Finland, and we recommend that the situation be addressed by increasing the capacity of the existing facility or by making additional facilities available to ensure proper treatment of those detained.
On the subject of rights of indigenous peoples, we recommend that Finland ratifies ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries within the term of office of the current government administration.
Finally, we applaud Finland in achieving the Millennium Development Goal of committing 0.5 % of its GNP to Official Development Assistance by 2010. By stating that the percentage will remain at the current level in the next three years, the Finnish government opens room for doubt that the goal for 2015 (0.7 %) will be achieved. We recommend that Finland reconsider the matter by taking the necessary steps to fulfill the objective expressed in 2008 to reach the 0.7% target for ODA in relation to the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Norway’s Advance Questions for Finland
- What measures are taken to reduce the problem of domestic violence in Finland and to make it easier for the individuals concerned to report actions of domestic violence?
- Could you please elaborate on what measures Finland is taking to address the issue of reported overcrowded immigration detention facilities and to correct the lack of comprehensive statistical data on immigration detention?
- Several human rights organizations have voiced concern that the newly established National Human Rights Centre in Finland may not have sufficient funding to be fully effective. What measures are taken to ensure that the Centre is able to function at its full potential?
- Does Finland plan to ratify ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries within the term of office of the current government administration?
- Could you please elaborate on whether Finland has a concrete plan on how to reach the Millennium Development Goal of committing 0.7 % of its GNP to Official Development Assistance?