14th November 2005, the UN Human Rights Committee ordered Finland to stop logging activities in Nellim area in Inari which is one of the Sámi reindeer herding areas.

The reason is that the current and escalating activities is violating the rights of the Sámi people.

Sámi Council is extremely greatful for the support from the Human Rights Committee in this urgent matter.

- This gives hope for change in the attitude and detrimental policy the government of Finland has shown towards the Sámi people in this issue, says Aleksander Kobelev, president of the Sámi Council.

- We celebrate the progress made by the Sámi reindeer herders in the Inari district, and look forward to profound changes in Finlands Sámi policy. We also hope that Stora Enso, Metsähallitus and other actors in Sámi areas now take time to evaluate their positions and policies. If the experience of the Sámi Council is needed by any of the parties, we are more than willing to assist in developing such policies, Kobelev continues.

- Finland might find excellent guidance in the proposed Sámi Convention, that is presented to the governments of Finland, Sweden and Norway and the Sámi Parliaments in Finland, Sweden and Norway at a big event in Helsinki today, 16 November 2005. The Sámi Convention was first proposed by the Sámi Conference in 1986. As the Sámi Council was the originator of the Convention, we are especially proud to see it materialize.

More information:
Mattias Åhrén, Head of the human rights +46 733 990 535
Rune Fjellheim, Head of the arctic and environmental matters, +47 915 70 574