| FINLAND Republic of Finland Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland Joined United Nations: 14 December 1955 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 06 April 2013 |
Chapter 2 Basic rights and liberties
Section 6 Equality
(1) Everyone is equal before the law.
(2) No one shall, without an acceptable reason, be treated differently from other persons on the ground of sex, age, origin, language,
religion, conviction, opinion, health, disability or other reason that concerns his or her person.
(3) Children shall be treated equally and as individuals and they shall be allowed to influence matters pertaining to themselves to
a degree corresponding to their level of development.
(4) Equality of the sexes is promoted in societal activity and working life, especially in the determination of pay and the other terms of
employment, as provided in more detail by an Act.
Section 7 The right to life, personal liberty and integrity
(1) Everyone has the right to life, personal liberty, integrity and security.
(2) No one shall be sentenced to death, tortured or otherwise treated in a manner violating human dignity.
(3) The personal integrity of the individual shall not be violated, nor shall anyone be deprived of liberty arbitrarily or without a reason
prescribed by an Act. A penalty involving deprivation of liberty may be imposed only by a court of law. The lawfulness of other cases of
deprivation of liberty may be submitted for review by a court of law. The rights of individuals deprived of their liberty shall be guaranteed
by an Act.
Section 8 The principle of legality in criminal cases
No one shall be found guilty of a criminal offence or be sentenced to a punishment on the basis of a deed, which has not been determined
punishable by an Act at the time of its commission. The penalty imposed for an offence shall not be more severe than that provided by an
Act at the time of commission of the offence.
Section 9 Freedom of movement
(1) Finnish citizens and foreigners legally resident in Finland have the right to freely move within the country and to choose their place of
residence.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave the country. Limitations on this right may be provided by an Act, if they are necessary for the purpose
of safeguarding legal proceedings or for the enforcement of penalties or for the fulfilment of the duty of national defence.
(3) Finnish citizens shall not be prevented from entering Finland or deported or extradited or transferred from Finland to another country
against their will.
(4) The right of foreigners to enter Finland and to remain in the country is regulated by an Act. A foreigner shall not be deported,
extradited or returned to another country, if in consequence he or she is in danger of a death sentence, torture or other treatment violating
human dignity.
Section 10 The right to privacy
(1) Everyone's private life, honour and the sanctity of the home are guaranteed. More detailed provisions on the protection of personal
data are laid down by an Act.
(2) The secrecy of correspondence, telephony and other confidential communications is inviolable.
(3) Measures encroaching on the sanctity of the home, and which are necessary for the purpose of guaranteeing basic rights and liberties
or for the investigation of crime, may be laid down by an Act. In addition, provisions concerning limitations of the secrecy of
communications which are necessary in the investigation of crimes that jeopardise the security of the individual or society or the sanctity
of the home, at trials and security checks, as well as during the deprivation of liberty may be laid down by an Act.
Section 11 Freedom of religion and conscience
(1) Everyone has the freedom of religion and conscience.
(2) Freedom of religion and conscience entails the right to profess and practice a religion, the right to express one's convictions and the
right to be a member of or decline to be a member of a religious community. No one is under the obligation, against his or her conscience,
to participate in the practice of a religion.
Section 12 Freedom of expression and right of access to information
(1) Everyone has the freedom of expression. Freedom of expression entails the right to express, disseminate and receive information,
opinions and other communications without prior prevention by anyone. More detailed provisions on the exercise of the freedom of
expression are laid down by an Act. Provisions on restrictions relating to pictorial programmes that are necessary for the protection of
children may be laid down by an Act.
(2) Documents and recordings in the possession of the authorities are public, unless their publication has for compelling reasons been
specifically restricted by an Act. Everyone has the right of access to public documents and recordings.
Section 13 Freedom of assembly and freedom of association
(1) Everyone has the right to arrange meetings and demonstrations without a permit, as well as the right to participate in them.
(2) Everyone has the freedom of association. Freedom of association entails the right to form an association without a permit, to be a
member or not to be a member of an association and to participate in the activities of an association. The freedom to form trade unions
and to organise in order to look after other interests is likewise guaranteed.
(3) More detailed provisions on the exercise of the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association are laid down by an Act.
Section 14 Electoral and participatory rights
(1) Every Finnish citizen who has reached eighteen years of age has the right to vote in national elections and referendums. Specific
provisions in this Constitution shall govern the eligibility to stand for office in national elections.
(2) Every Finnish citizen and every foreigner permanently resident in Finland, having attained eighteen years of age, has the right to vote in
municipal elections and municipal referendums, as provided by an Act. Provisions on the right to otherwise participate in municipal
government are laid down by an Act.
(3) The public authorities shall promote the opportunities for the individual to participate in societal activity and to influence the decisions
that concern him or her.
Section 15 Protection of property
(1) The property of everyone is protected.
(2) Provisions on the expropriation of property, for public needs and against full compensation, are laid down by an Act.
Section 16 Educational rights
(1) Everyone has the right to basic education free of charge. Provisions on the duty to receive education are laid down by an Act.
(2) The public authorities shall, as provided in more detail by an Act, guarantee for everyone equal opportunity to receive other educational
services in accordance with their ability and special needs, as well as the opportunity to develop themselves without being prevented by
economic hardship.
(3) The freedom of science, the arts and higher education is guaranteed.
Section 17 Right to one's language and culture
(1) The national languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish.
(2) The right of everyone to use his or her own language, either Finnish or Swedish, before courts of law and other authorities, and to
receive official documents in that language, shall be guaranteed by an Act. The public authorities shall provide for the cultural and societal
needs of the Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking populations of the country on an equal basis.
(3) The Sami, as an indigenous people, as well as the Roma and other groups, have the right to maintain and develop their own language
and culture. Provisions on the right of the Sami to use
the Sami language before the authorities are laid down by an Act. The rights of persons using sign language and of persons in need of
interpretation or translation aid owing to disability shall be guaranteed by an Act.
Section 18 The right to work and the freedom to engage in commercial activity
(1) Everyone has the right, as provided by an Act, to earn his or her livelihood by the employment, occupation or commercial activity of
his or her choice. The public authorities shall take responsibility for the protection of the labour force.
(2) The public authorities shall promote employment and work towards guaranteeing for everyone the right to work. Provisions on the
right to receive training that promotes employability are laid down by an Act.
(3) No one shall be dismissed from employment without a lawful reason.
Section 19 The right to social security
(1) Those who cannot obtain the means necessary for a life of dignity have the right to receive indispensable subsistence and care.
(2) Everyone shall be guaranteed by an Act the right to basic subsistence in the event of unemployment, illness, and disability and during
old age as well as at the birth of a child or the loss of a provider.
(3) The public authorities shall guarantee for everyone, as provided in more detail by an Act, adequate social, health and medical services
and promote the health of the population. Moreover, the public authorities shall support families and others responsible for providing for
children so that they have the ability to ensure the wellbeing and personal development of the children.
(4) The public authorities shall promote the right of everyone to housing and the opportunity to arrange their own housing.
Section 20 Responsibility for the environment
(1) Nature and its biodiversity, the environment and the national heritage are the responsibility of everyone.
(2) The public authorities shall endeavour to guarantee for everyone the right to a healthy environment and for everyone the possibility to
influence the decisions that concern their own living environment.
Section 21 Protection under the law
(1) Everyone has the right to have his or her case dealt with appropriately and without undue delay by a legally competent court of law or
other authority, as well as to have a decision pertaining to his or her rights or obligations reviewed by a court of law or other independent
organ for the administration of justice.
(2) Provisions concerning the publicity of proceedings, the right to be heard, the right to receive a reasoned decision and the right of
appeal, as well as the other guarantees of a fair trial and good governance shall be laid down by an Act.
Section 22 Protection of basic rights and liberties
The public authorities shall guarantee the observance of basic rights and liberties and human rights.
Section 23 Basic rights and liberties in situations of emergency
Such provisional exceptions to basic rights and liberties that are compatible with Finland's international obligations concerning human
rights and that are deemed necessary in the case of an armed attack against Finland or if there exists an emergency that threatens the
nation and which according to an Act is so serious that it can be compared with an armed attack may be provided by an Act.
Section 6 Equality
(1) Everyone is equal before the law.
(2) No one shall, without an acceptable reason, be treated differently from other persons on the ground of sex, age, origin, language,
religion, conviction, opinion, health, disability or other reason that concerns his or her person.
(3) Children shall be treated equally and as individuals and they shall be allowed to influence matters pertaining to themselves to
a degree corresponding to their level of development.
(4) Equality of the sexes is promoted in societal activity and working life, especially in the determination of pay and the other terms of
employment, as provided in more detail by an Act.
Section 7 The right to life, personal liberty and integrity
(1) Everyone has the right to life, personal liberty, integrity and security.
(2) No one shall be sentenced to death, tortured or otherwise treated in a manner violating human dignity.
(3) The personal integrity of the individual shall not be violated, nor shall anyone be deprived of liberty arbitrarily or without a reason
prescribed by an Act. A penalty involving deprivation of liberty may be imposed only by a court of law. The lawfulness of other cases of
deprivation of liberty may be submitted for review by a court of law. The rights of individuals deprived of their liberty shall be guaranteed
by an Act.
Section 8 The principle of legality in criminal cases
No one shall be found guilty of a criminal offence or be sentenced to a punishment on the basis of a deed, which has not been determined
punishable by an Act at the time of its commission. The penalty imposed for an offence shall not be more severe than that provided by an
Act at the time of commission of the offence.
Section 9 Freedom of movement
(1) Finnish citizens and foreigners legally resident in Finland have the right to freely move within the country and to choose their place of
residence.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave the country. Limitations on this right may be provided by an Act, if they are necessary for the purpose
of safeguarding legal proceedings or for the enforcement of penalties or for the fulfilment of the duty of national defence.
(3) Finnish citizens shall not be prevented from entering Finland or deported or extradited or transferred from Finland to another country
against their will.
(4) The right of foreigners to enter Finland and to remain in the country is regulated by an Act. A foreigner shall not be deported,
extradited or returned to another country, if in consequence he or she is in danger of a death sentence, torture or other treatment violating
human dignity.
Section 10 The right to privacy
(1) Everyone's private life, honour and the sanctity of the home are guaranteed. More detailed provisions on the protection of personal
data are laid down by an Act.
(2) The secrecy of correspondence, telephony and other confidential communications is inviolable.
(3) Measures encroaching on the sanctity of the home, and which are necessary for the purpose of guaranteeing basic rights and liberties
or for the investigation of crime, may be laid down by an Act. In addition, provisions concerning limitations of the secrecy of
communications which are necessary in the investigation of crimes that jeopardise the security of the individual or society or the sanctity
of the home, at trials and security checks, as well as during the deprivation of liberty may be laid down by an Act.
Section 11 Freedom of religion and conscience
(1) Everyone has the freedom of religion and conscience.
(2) Freedom of religion and conscience entails the right to profess and practice a religion, the right to express one's convictions and the
right to be a member of or decline to be a member of a religious community. No one is under the obligation, against his or her conscience,
to participate in the practice of a religion.
Section 12 Freedom of expression and right of access to information
(1) Everyone has the freedom of expression. Freedom of expression entails the right to express, disseminate and receive information,
opinions and other communications without prior prevention by anyone. More detailed provisions on the exercise of the freedom of
expression are laid down by an Act. Provisions on restrictions relating to pictorial programmes that are necessary for the protection of
children may be laid down by an Act.
(2) Documents and recordings in the possession of the authorities are public, unless their publication has for compelling reasons been
specifically restricted by an Act. Everyone has the right of access to public documents and recordings.
Section 13 Freedom of assembly and freedom of association
(1) Everyone has the right to arrange meetings and demonstrations without a permit, as well as the right to participate in them.
(2) Everyone has the freedom of association. Freedom of association entails the right to form an association without a permit, to be a
member or not to be a member of an association and to participate in the activities of an association. The freedom to form trade unions
and to organise in order to look after other interests is likewise guaranteed.
(3) More detailed provisions on the exercise of the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association are laid down by an Act.
Section 14 Electoral and participatory rights
(1) Every Finnish citizen who has reached eighteen years of age has the right to vote in national elections and referendums. Specific
provisions in this Constitution shall govern the eligibility to stand for office in national elections.
(2) Every Finnish citizen and every foreigner permanently resident in Finland, having attained eighteen years of age, has the right to vote in
municipal elections and municipal referendums, as provided by an Act. Provisions on the right to otherwise participate in municipal
government are laid down by an Act.
(3) The public authorities shall promote the opportunities for the individual to participate in societal activity and to influence the decisions
that concern him or her.
Section 15 Protection of property
(1) The property of everyone is protected.
(2) Provisions on the expropriation of property, for public needs and against full compensation, are laid down by an Act.
Section 16 Educational rights
(1) Everyone has the right to basic education free of charge. Provisions on the duty to receive education are laid down by an Act.
(2) The public authorities shall, as provided in more detail by an Act, guarantee for everyone equal opportunity to receive other educational
services in accordance with their ability and special needs, as well as the opportunity to develop themselves without being prevented by
economic hardship.
(3) The freedom of science, the arts and higher education is guaranteed.
Section 17 Right to one's language and culture
(1) The national languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish.
(2) The right of everyone to use his or her own language, either Finnish or Swedish, before courts of law and other authorities, and to
receive official documents in that language, shall be guaranteed by an Act. The public authorities shall provide for the cultural and societal
needs of the Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking populations of the country on an equal basis.
(3) The Sami, as an indigenous people, as well as the Roma and other groups, have the right to maintain and develop their own language
and culture. Provisions on the right of the Sami to use
the Sami language before the authorities are laid down by an Act. The rights of persons using sign language and of persons in need of
interpretation or translation aid owing to disability shall be guaranteed by an Act.
Section 18 The right to work and the freedom to engage in commercial activity
(1) Everyone has the right, as provided by an Act, to earn his or her livelihood by the employment, occupation or commercial activity of
his or her choice. The public authorities shall take responsibility for the protection of the labour force.
(2) The public authorities shall promote employment and work towards guaranteeing for everyone the right to work. Provisions on the
right to receive training that promotes employability are laid down by an Act.
(3) No one shall be dismissed from employment without a lawful reason.
Section 19 The right to social security
(1) Those who cannot obtain the means necessary for a life of dignity have the right to receive indispensable subsistence and care.
(2) Everyone shall be guaranteed by an Act the right to basic subsistence in the event of unemployment, illness, and disability and during
old age as well as at the birth of a child or the loss of a provider.
(3) The public authorities shall guarantee for everyone, as provided in more detail by an Act, adequate social, health and medical services
and promote the health of the population. Moreover, the public authorities shall support families and others responsible for providing for
children so that they have the ability to ensure the wellbeing and personal development of the children.
(4) The public authorities shall promote the right of everyone to housing and the opportunity to arrange their own housing.
Section 20 Responsibility for the environment
(1) Nature and its biodiversity, the environment and the national heritage are the responsibility of everyone.
(2) The public authorities shall endeavour to guarantee for everyone the right to a healthy environment and for everyone the possibility to
influence the decisions that concern their own living environment.
Section 21 Protection under the law
(1) Everyone has the right to have his or her case dealt with appropriately and without undue delay by a legally competent court of law or
other authority, as well as to have a decision pertaining to his or her rights or obligations reviewed by a court of law or other independent
organ for the administration of justice.
(2) Provisions concerning the publicity of proceedings, the right to be heard, the right to receive a reasoned decision and the right of
appeal, as well as the other guarantees of a fair trial and good governance shall be laid down by an Act.
Section 22 Protection of basic rights and liberties
The public authorities shall guarantee the observance of basic rights and liberties and human rights.
Section 23 Basic rights and liberties in situations of emergency
Such provisional exceptions to basic rights and liberties that are compatible with Finland's international obligations concerning human
rights and that are deemed necessary in the case of an armed attack against Finland or if there exists an emergency that threatens the
nation and which according to an Act is so serious that it can be compared with an armed attack may be provided by an Act.
Human history of Finland may date back nearly 130,000 year but concrete evidence dates
hunter-gatherer civilization to 8500 BCE. Indo-Europeans arrived around 3200 BCE with
trade and ironworks evolving around 500 BCE. The first mention of Finnish people dates to
around 98 CE in writings by Tacitus. Contact with Vikings took place in the 9th and 10th
Centuries and Christianity took hold in the 11th Century. An influx of Swedish migration
occurred during the 12th and 13th Centuries as the nation absorbed Finland into its
Kingdom which joined the Kalmar Union in 1389. Finns made up a sizeable percentage of
Swedish colonists who colonized the Delaware-Pennsylvania region from 1638-1655.
Russia captured and occupied Finland through much of the 18th Century and became a
Russian Grand Duchy in 1809 which it remained until the end of the Russian Empire in 1917.
After a brief civil war Finland achieved autonomy on 15 November 1917 and independence
and promulgation of a constitution on 18 December 1917. The present constitution was put
into effect on 1 March 2000. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Chapter Two
(Basic rights and liberties), conform with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights of
which Finland is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full English translation of
Finland's Constitution, click here.
hunter-gatherer civilization to 8500 BCE. Indo-Europeans arrived around 3200 BCE with
trade and ironworks evolving around 500 BCE. The first mention of Finnish people dates to
around 98 CE in writings by Tacitus. Contact with Vikings took place in the 9th and 10th
Centuries and Christianity took hold in the 11th Century. An influx of Swedish migration
occurred during the 12th and 13th Centuries as the nation absorbed Finland into its
Kingdom which joined the Kalmar Union in 1389. Finns made up a sizeable percentage of
Swedish colonists who colonized the Delaware-Pennsylvania region from 1638-1655.
Russia captured and occupied Finland through much of the 18th Century and became a
Russian Grand Duchy in 1809 which it remained until the end of the Russian Empire in 1917.
After a brief civil war Finland achieved autonomy on 15 November 1917 and independence
and promulgation of a constitution on 18 December 1917. The present constitution was put
into effect on 1 March 2000. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Chapter Two
(Basic rights and liberties), conform with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights of
which Finland is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full English translation of
Finland's Constitution, click here.