Tasa-arvo ihmisten välillä

According to Finnish law, discrimination is a crime. Nobody shall be discriminated against on the basis of age, ethnic origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, health, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sexual identity. Discrimination on the basis of wealth or pregnancy, for example, is also prohibited.

The Non-Discrimination Act (yhdenvertaisuuslaki) forbids discrimination in recruitment and training. People cannot be discriminated against on the basis of ethnic origin in relation to social services and health care.

Information on the topic is available in the following languages:

English
Finnish
Swedish
Sami
Russian
Arabic
Somali
Spanish
French

The Ombudsman for Minorities

The Ombudsman for Minorities is an authority with the basic task of advancing the status and legal protection of ethnic minorities and foreigners as well as equality, non-discrimination and good ethnic relations in Finland.

You can contact the Ombudsman for Minorities if, for example, you have experienced or observed ethnic discrimination. In cases of discrimination, or if you have any other questions, please call the customer service of the Office of the Ombudsman for Minorities on (09) 160 43 444 (weekdays between 9.00 and 15.00).

Work discrimination

Work discrimination is a crime. You can report it to the Labour Protection Authority.

Equality between the sexes

According to Finnish law, men and women have equal rights. The Gender Equality Ombudsman (Tasa-arvovaltuutettu) supervises that the Act on equality between women and men is being applied. Information on the topic is available in the following languages:

English
Finnish
Swedish
Russian
Serbo-Croat
Somali
Farsi
Kurdish
Arabic
Albanian
Vietnamese
Tagalog
Thai

Sexual equality

According to Finnish law, nodoby shall be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation, sexual identity or sexual expression. SETA or Sexual Equality promotes equality, reports lack of equality and provides different kinds of services, including counselling and support for people who belong to sexual minorities and their loved ones. In Finland, two people of the same sex can also make their relationship official. More information on the topic is available on the websites of the Ministry of Justice and SETA ry.

Freedom of religion

Finland observes freedom of religion. Each person is therefore entitled to practise their own religion and to express their beliefs. Everyone also has the right to choose whether they want to belong to a religious institution or not. No one is forced to practise a religion against his/her will. More information on freedom of religion is available on the Info Bank’s Religion pages.

Age discrimination

Nobody shall be discriminated against on the basis of age The aim is to ensure as independent a life as possible for elderly people in their own home. Elderly people are entitled to different types of benefits according to their need. More information on the subject is available on the Elderly People pages of the Info Bank.

Children’s rights

Children have the right to special protection and care. They have the right to present their own opinions. They have the right to be taken into consideration in matters affecting them. Under Finnish law, corporal punishment of children is forbidden.

The aim of Child Protection Work is to ensure that all children can grow up in good conditions and to support the parents or a guardian in the upbringing of children. More information is available on the Children and Young People pages of the Info Bank.

Rights of the disabled

Nobody shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability. According to the Non-Discrimination Act, those who commission work and arrange training shall improve the opportunities of persons with disabilities to gain access to work or training. This means making reasonable arrangements. For example, working environments can be modified in a way that makes it easier for persons with disabilities to move around.

The pages of the National Council on Disability have information on legislation and disability organisations. Information on services for the disabled can be found on the Disabled People pages of the Info Bank.

Instances of racism and discrimination

The Racism and Discrimination pages contain information on who can help if you have encountered discrimination.