Human Rights Committee - 4 - Press Release HR/CT/517 1670th Meeting (PM) 9 April 1998
The Committee noted the recognition of the Sami and Roma people's rights, and commended efforts to promote racial tolerance, the safeguarding of women and children, the implementation of an Aliens Act and actions to disseminate information about the Covenant.
While reform of the Penal Code made violations of several rights and freedoms punishable by law, the Committee was concerned that criminal law alone was not appropriate as remedy for violations of certain rights and freedoms. Other concerns included the failure to resolve issues around a proposed act to protect the people in the Sami homeland and the insufficiency of access to documents in the Sami and Roma languages. There were also concerns about continuing discrimination in gender and against minorities and immigrants.
The Committee asked for more information concerning the law enabling trial in absentia under certain conditions and a continuing legal provision for preventive detention. The Committee suggested that Finland remove reservations to the Covenant, and that it address Committee concerns regarding protection of Swedish speaking people's rights, the rights of asylum seekers and aliens,
and the preferential treatment given to Jehovah's Witnesses.
Overall, the Committee recommended that Finland continue its laudable efforts to promote greater awareness of the Covenant.