WG formed to prepare govt declaration against racism, discrimination

The government on Monday appointed a working group to prepare a government communication on promoting equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society, said a government press release.

The working group has been tasked with preparing a government statement to Parliament on promoting equality and non-discrimination.

The statement will also include proposals on how to promote action combatting racism both in Finland and internationally.

The working group must consult at least the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Equality and take into account the government Programme.

The programme includes, “ Finland promotes the implementation of democracy, the rule of law, and the fundamental and human rights. A society built on trust and good relations between population groups arises from the fact that everyone in Finland can trust that their rights and the principles of gender equality, equality before the law and non-discrimination will be respected and that they will be able to improve their own lives.”

The Government will take determined measures to promote equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in society.

Everyone has the right to be happy and safe in Finland regardless of their background.

Everyone is equal before the law. No one may be discriminated against based on their gender, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion or belief, opinion, disability, state of health, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristics.

The working group members will carry out their work as part of their official duties and will not be paid any separate salaries or fees.

Chaired by State Secretary of the Prime Minister Office Risto Artjoki, State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo was made Vice-Chair of the group.

The Members of the Working Group are : Mikaela Nylander, State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture, Päivi Nerg, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Pekka Timonen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture, Jukka Salovaara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Veli-Mikko Niemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Earlier on July 11, leaders of the four-party alliance government made a declaration with the view to ensure equality, non-discrimination in the society.

The declaration came following widespread controversy raised over racial, apparently violent and anti-immigrant comments made by Finance Minister and Chairperson of the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Riikka Purra.

On July 11, Purra admitted that she made the controversial remarks on the Scripta blog 15 years ago in guise of a username "riikka" and apologised for the racial, apparently violent and anti-immigrant comments.

Petteri Orpo-led four-party right-wing alliance government took office on June 20.

Earlier on June 30, another Perussuomalaiset leader and Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila decided to resign following the controversy raised over his links to far-right groups.