COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD DISCUSSES MEASURES TAKEN BY FINLAND IN APPLICATION OF CONVENTION
Press Release
HR/4286
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD DISCUSSES MEASURES TAKEN BY FINLAND IN APPLICATION OF CONVENTION
19960123 GENEVA, 23 January (UN Information Service) -- The quality of child care in Finland was among the highest and maternal and infant mortality had been the lowest in the world, the delegation of Finland informed the Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon as it began its examination of the initial report of that State.The Committee was considering measures taken by Finland to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child since it became a party to the Convention in 1991.
The delegation assured Committee members that in spite of a severe economic recession, Finland had continued to give high priority to the promotion of children's rights by making resources available to social and welfare agencies.
According to the delegation, the recent constitutional reform had strengthened the respect for the rights of the child by adding a provision which prohibited discrimination based on age.
Aino-Inkeri Hansson, Government Counsellor and leader of the delegation, was accompanied by Pia-Liisa Heiliö, of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; Riitta Kaivosoja, of the Ministry of Education; Jarmo Littunen, of the Ministry of Justice; Martti Lähteinen, of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; and Päivi Pietarinen, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Introduction of Report
Introducing the report, Ms. Hansson affirmed that the quality of child care in Finland was among the highest in the world. A parent, either the mother or father, could take paid parental leaves to stay at home to look after the child. The parent also had the choice of continuing her or his leave of absence from work until the child reached the age of three.
Moreover, maternal and infant mortality in Finland had remained among the lowest in the world for several years, she said. Regular health checks for the mother, the foetus and the infant had made it possible to tackle problems before complications arose. Due to preventative measures, dental
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diseases among children were non-existent. Because of advanced sex education, teenage pregnancies were rare. The phenomenon of street children and homeless children did not exist. Furthermore, a nine-year free-of-charge education was compulsory beginning at the age of seven.
With the recent constitutional reform, children would be treated equally as individuals and they could also influence matters concerning themselves according to their stage of development, she added.
Discussion of Report
Answering questions from Committee members, the delegates underlined that the main purpose of the recent constitutional reforms was to fully integrate the principles of human rights, in particular the rights of the child. In addition, a provision was included prohibiting discrimination based on age. The role of the Government in supporting the families and others responsible for the care of children to secure the child's welfare and individual growth was emphasized in the reformed constitution.
In a proposition submitted to Parliament, the Government had recommended the establishment of a child ombudsman's office, the delegates said. One of the functions of the office would be to spread awareness about the Convention and to follow its implementation in administration and legislation. The ombudsman would also coordinate and harmonize political decision-making and administrative functions at different levels and sectors in the interest of minors.
Asked about the impact on the rights of children of the reduction in budgetary resources due to a severe economic recession, the delegates emphasized that in spite of the recession, the Government had been able to maintain both a sufficient quantity and a high quality of social and health services. Nevertheless, small municipalities had had difficulties in providing child protection services.
With regard to children belonging to the Saami and Romany minorities, the delegates said that they had been treated equally and the principle of non-discrimination had been fully implemented.
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