COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS OBSERVATIONS ON SITUATION IN FINLAND

13 March 1996

Press Release
RD/866

COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS OBSERVATIONS ON SITUATION IN FINLAND

19960313 Hears Statements by High Commissioner And Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights

GENEVA, 12 March (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon expressed deep concern over the significant increase of racially motivated acts and violence in Finland.

The Committee's observation came as it continued to adopt a document evaluating the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in that country. According to the Committee, article 4 of the Convention, providing for the criminalization of acts of racial discrimination, had not yet been fully implemented by the authorities. The Committee also expressed concern about, among other things, the issue of the land rights of the indigenous Saami people and the repatriation of asylum seekers without proper respect for international human rights and the norms of refugee law.

Pointing to some positive aspects of the situation in Finland, the Committee cited the recent establishment of an Advisory Board for Refugee and Migrant Affairs, the ratification of the European Charter for Regional Minority Languages and the creation of a working group to draw up a programme of action against racism and discrimination as some of the positive measures taken by the Government to fight racial discrimination.

Also this afternoon, the Committee discussed with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, José Ayala Lasso, the contribution it could make in the drafting of a future constitution for Rwanda and in the implementation of the Dayton peace accord for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The expert panel also held an exchange of views with Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ibrahima Fall on its role in the implementation of the Programme of Action of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

Observations on Situation in Finland

With regard to Finland, the Committee pointed to the establishment in the last few years of an Advisory Board for Refugee and Migrant Affairs, the ratification of the European Charter for Regional Minority Languages and the creation of a working group to draw up a programme of action against racism and discrimination as some of the positive measures taken by the Government to fight racial discrimination. Recent reforms of the Constitutional framework and the Penal Code related to racial discrimination were also welcomed.

The Committee expressed deep concern over the significant increase of racially motivated acts and violence. The persistence of publications, organizations and political parties which promote racist and xenophobic ideas was a further serious worry. Concern was also expressed that article 4 of the Convention, providing for the criminalization of acts of racial discrimination, had not yet been fully implemented by the authorities.

As regards the issue of the land rights of the indigenous Saami people, the Committee expressed concern over the mining and other economic interests of national and international companies which might be threatening their way of life. Also, decisions to repatriate asylum seekers had been taken without proper respect for international human rights and the norms of refugee law.

The Committee recommended that Finland adopt legislation clearly prohibiting and punishing racism and organizations that promoted and incited racial discrimination. It also recommended that the Government ensure thorough investigation of cases of alleged mistreatment of ethnic minorities and foreign persons by the police. It suggested that the Finnish Government draft and implement a clear policy of Saami land rights in order to better protect and preserve the property rights and way of life of that minority group. It also suggested that special measures be taken on behalf of the Romany people to ensure their full enjoyment of human rights, especially in the field of education.

Discussion with High Commissioner for Human Rights

JOSÉ AYALA LASSO, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that despite budgetary limits it was necessary to do everything possible so that cooperation between his office and the Committee did not suffer. One of the objectives of the current restructuring was to create a new Centre for Human Rights, one that would be a modern, dynamic and effective instrument to implement the goals of the Vienna Declaration and the recommendations of the relevant bodies of the United Nations. He agreed on the importance of cooperation between the Committee and other bodies active in the fight against discrimination. Cooperation with at least European organs could be worked on for the Committee's next session.

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Turning to the activities of the United Nations in relation to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said the role of the Organization had been harshly criticized, sometimes for reasons that were unfounded. The United Nations had taken a cautious approach to the Dayton accords, as it did not want to be overinsistent regarding participation. He had made some limited proposals, touching notably on assistance in the training of staff in the observation of respect for human rights. To complete the process of national reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, respect for human rights must be ensured. In this regard, work on non-discrimination was particularly important.

Concerning the situation in Rwanda, the High Commissioner said the United Nations human rights operation there had evolved in a positive manner, and now had a staff of 100. The situation in that country was evolving very rapidly. The State was beginning to organize itself, elaborating a national position that had to be respected and which sometimes posed difficulties for the operation. None the less, relations with the Government were good, as illustrated by the fact that when it asked the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda to leave the country, it insisted that the human rights operation remain. Much remained to be done, including a possible constitutional reform. He assured the Committee of his highest regard for its expertise and added that it would be asked to cooperate in certain aspects of technical assistance programme for Rwanda.

Discussion with Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights

IBRAHIMA FALL, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, said the rapid evolution of international society meant that the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination had to be adjusted and brought up to date. The General Assembly, at its fiftieth session, invited the Secretary-General to submit proposals to supplement, if necessary, the Programme of Action. He urged the Committee to make proposals based on its expertise and transmit them to the Secretary-General.

The Third Decade lacked resources, he said, adding that there was only some $76,000 left in the trust fund for the Programme. The Organization was facing a budgetary and financial crisis that affected all sections of the Secretariat, including the Centre for Human Rights. The situation was not improving to any considerable degree. The Programme of Action was financed by voluntary contributions, but the States that gave were always the same. Given the present international economic situation, those States were beginning to get tired. The Assembly had noted that unless a supplementary financial effort was made, very few of the activities planned for the period 1994-1997 would be carried out.

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Responding to other concerns voiced by Committee members, he said Member States could be asked to provide for additional meeting time for the Committee to enable it to face an increasing workload. That had been done before and could be done again, as Member States were aware of the importance of the Committee. He voiced his willingness to provide his full support to activities in the fight against racial discrimination.

Committee Chairman MICHAEL PARKER BANTON, expert from the United Kingdom, welcomed the Assistant Secretary-General's remarks, and recalled that the Committee had not asked for additional meeting time, but rather that, given an increasing workload, it was reaching its limit.

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