Operators and roles
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal of Finland, and the occupational safety and health authorities supervise compliance with the Non-discrimination Act. The Police of Finland investigates discrimination offences and offences related to discrimination. The task of the Ombudsman for Equality is to supervise compliance with the Act on Equality between Women and Men. The tasks of the Ministry of Justice include the drafting of equality legislation and promoting equality.
Statutory operators
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman promotes equality and tackles discrimination. The Ombudsman investigates reports on discrimination based on any of the grounds of discrimination in the Non-discrimination Act.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination based on age, origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, political activity, trade union activity, family relations, state of health, disability, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics can contact the Non-discrimination Ombudsman.
The Advisory Board for Non-Discrimination works with the office of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.
Non-Discrimination Ombudsman
The Advisory Board for Non-Discrimination
The Ombudsman for Equality supervises compliance with the Act on Equality between Women and Men and promotes gender equality. The Ombudsman provides guidance and advice in questions related to the Act on Equality between Women and Men; discrimination based on gender, gender identity and gender expression; and the promotion of gender equality.
The Ombudsman for Equality can assist a victim of discrimination within the meaning of the Act on Equality between Women and Men in safeguarding their rights and in court hearings if necessary.
The occupational safety and health authorities supervise the compliance of employment, public service employment, internships and other similar activities of workplaces and recruitment with the Non-discrimination Act.
The occupational safety and health authorities may intervene in discrimination occurring at a workplace with the means laid down in the Act on Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement and Cooperation on Occupational Safety and Health at Workplaces. The means include giving advice and recommendations.
If the employer does not comply with the recommendations, the occupational safety and health authorities may issue a decision that is binding on the employer.
The National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal of Finland supervises compliance with the Non-discrimination Act and the Act on Equality between Women and Men in both private activities and public administrative and commercial activities.
The Tribunal confirms settlements between parties in matters related to discrimination or retaliation, and it may prohibit parties from continuing or repeating discrimination and order them to implement measures to meet the requirements set. The Tribunal may enforce compliance with a prohibition or order it has issued by issuing a conditional fine.
The Tribunal also has authority to supervise compliance with the Act on Equality between Women and Men in matters related to employment. In such cases, the Office of the Ombudsman for Equality and labour market central organisations may refer the case to the Tribunal.
National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal of Finland
Roles of ministries
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for promoting equality policies and occupational safety and health. The Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (VANE) and the National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs (RONK) operate under the Ministry.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
The Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for preventing discrimination and promoting good ethnic relationships and language rights. It also coordinates matters related to the Sámi people.
Among others, the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations Etno, the language advisory board Kieliasiain neuvottelulautakunta, the Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) and the advisory board on sign language Viittomakieliasioiden neuvottelukunta operate under the Ministry.
The task of the Ministry of Transport and Communications is to ensure the transfer and transport of information, goods and people in Finland. This also includes questions related to accessibility, digital services and artificial intelligence.
The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for matters related to regional and civil engineering, the built environment, habitation, biodiversity and environmental protection.
Among other matters, the Ministry is responsible for promoting the accessibility of the built environment.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment’s administrative branch includes business policy, employment and equality in employment, as well as promoting the integration of immigrants.
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the internal safety and security of Finland, including the police administration, border security and immigration policy.
The Prime Minister’s Office is responsible for organising the activities of all ministries and the operational requirements of the Government.
The Office manages several cross-administrative projects such as Prime Minister Petter Orpo’s Government’s work to prevent discrimination and promote equality, and the national implementation of sustainable development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs focuses on foreign and security policy, trade policy and development policy and international matters that have significance from the perspective of foreign policy and international relations.
The Ministry is responsible for Finland’s international human rights policy and reports on the implementation of human rights obligations to the supervisory bodies of the UN and the Council of Europe.
The website of the Ministry contains all the human rights recommendations issued by international supervisory bodies to Finland.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Recommendations (in Finnish)
The Ministry of Education and Culture’s administrative branch includes matters related to science, education and early childhood education, the arts, culture, sports and youth work, museums and libraries, and religious communities.
The Ministry promotes the ethical principles and equality of sports and physical activities, and citizens’ right to practise their religion and engage in activities related to it.