UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issues recommendations to Finland

UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issues recommendations to Finland

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has considered the initial report of Finland on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A public hearing of the Finnish delegation was held in connection with the consideration in Geneva. The Committee published its concluding observations and recommendations on 3 September.

The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Process for the Deaf and Sign Language Users, the Third National Plan on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the development of human rights indicators.

At the same time, the Committee sets out several recommendations to Finland for improvement. Among other things, it recommends coordinating the central, regional and local levels of government and the Åland Islands to ensure consistent compliance with the convention across the country.

The Committee recommends that Finland expeditiously proceed with the reform of legislation on the right to self-determination of persons with disabilities. The Committee also recommends offsetting retrogressive measures already taken and providing sufficient funding to organisations of persons with disabilities to fully participate in the implementation of the convention.

The inclusion of persons with disabilities must be further strengthened. The Committee recommends developing legally entrenched processes of close consultation and active involvement of persons with disabilities, through their representative organisations, including in wellbeing services counties, in all matters relating to the implementation of the convention. The Committee additionally recommends that Finland implement a coordinated strategy, with clear timelines and sufficient financial resources, for the deinstitutionalisation of care for persons with disabilities.

With regard to education, the Committee recommends transforming the education system into an inclusive one, improving training in educational settings on the rights of persons with disabilities and inclusive education, and reviewing admissions procedures in higher education to ensure access for students with disabilities and that they can pursue their professional training on an equal basis with other students.

The Committee also makes recommendations on a several other areas.

Finland's next periodic report on the implementation of the convention is due in 2034.

The concluding observations and recommendations of the Committee (pdf).