The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination calls for stronger protection of rights of Sámi people in Finland
United Nations Office at Geneva. Photo: Saami Councik
Following its review of Finland in Geneva on 17-18 August, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s (CERD) has issued its Concluding Observations, Calling on Finland to strengthen the protection of Sámi self-determination, traditional lands, territories, waters and resources, traditional livelihoods, and the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Ida-Maria Helander. Photo: Saami Council
The UN body’s recommendations directly mirror key concerns and evidence submitted by the Saami Council, reinforcing urgent calls for structural human rights reform.
The Saami Council played a central role in shaping the UN review process, contributing detailed documentation—including a List of Themes and a comprehensive Main Review report—documenting systemic challenges facing the Sámi in Finland. During the review, the Saami Council welcomed recent developments, including the amended Sámi Parliament Act and the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Process, while stressing that a fundamental issue remains unresolved:
“The full recognition and effective protection of the Sámi People’s rights to their traditional lands, territories and natural resources remain unresolved.”
CERD calls for stronger protection of Sámi land and resource rights
In its Concluding Observations, CERD expresses concern that the rights of the Sámi in relation to their traditional lands, territories, waters and resources are not adequately recognised and protected, particularly in the context of green transition projects, including wind power and mining, in and near the Sámi Homeland.
The Committee urges Finland to fully recognise and protect the rights of the Sámi to own, develop, control and use the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired. CERD further urges Finland to ensure that projects affecting Sámi traditional lands, territories, waters and resources, including green transition, energy and mining projects, are not approved without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the Sámi, and that adequate impact assessments are conducted in collaboration with the affected communities.
CERD also calls on Finland to take effective measures, developed together with the Sámi People, to protect traditional livelihoods, including reindeer husbandry, fishing and hunting, from the adverse effects of other forms of land use and climate change.
Self-determination and participation in decision-making
CERD welcomes the amended Sámi Parliament Act and recommends that Finland ensure its full and effective implementation in a manner that gives effect to the right of the Sámi People to self-determination, including their right to determine their own membership. The Committee also recommends ensuring genuine and effective Sámi participation in decision-making and that legislative or administrative measures that may affect the Sámi are not approved without obtaining their Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The Committee also encourages Finland to ratify ILO Convention No. 169, as it has recommended before.
CERD also recommends that Finland adopt a time-bound and adequately resourced plan to implement the recommendations of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Committee also calls for stronger access to Sámi-language education, social services and healthcare.
The Saami Council calls for concrete action
Several of CERD's recommendations address concerns raised by the Saami Council during the review, particularly the protection of Sámi traditional lands, resources and livelihoods, Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the right to self-determination.
– We welcome the recommendations and call on Finland to take concrete and timely measures to implement CERD's recommendations and to strengthen the legal protection of Sámi land and resource rights and traditional livelihoods, says Ida-Maria Helander, Vice President of the Saami Council.
CERD has requested Finland to provide information within two years on its implementation of recommendations concerning Sámi traditional lands and livelihoods. The follow-up specifically concerns Free, Prior and Informed Consent for projects affecting Sámi traditional lands, territories, waters and resources, and measures to protect traditional livelihoods from the adverse effects of competing land use and climate change.
FACTS: What is CERD?
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
CERD periodically reviews how States that are parties to the Convention fulfil their obligations under ICERD. During these reviews, the Committee assesses legislative, policy and other measures taken by States to prevent and combat racial discrimination and follows up on the implementation of its previous recommendations.
CERD is particularly relevant to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the Sámi People. CERD has recognised that discrimination against Indigenous Peoples can affect the exercise of their rights to traditional lands, territories and natural resources. In applying the Convention, CERD has therefore addressed issues such as the recognition and protection of Indigenous land and resource rights, participation in decisions affecting those rights, and Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
In addition to States' periodic reports, CERD considers information submitted by national human rights institutions and civil society organisations. During the review process, the Committee engages in dialogue with civil society and government representatives and raises questions concerning the implementation of the Convention.
Following a review, CERD issues its Concluding Observations, which contain the Committee's assessment and recommendations to the State. The recommendations are not legally binding but provide authoritative guidance on how States should strengthen the implementation of their obligations under ICERD.