National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights 2020–2023 : Developing the Monitoring of Fundamental and Human Rights

Abstract

According to the Constitutional Law Committee, a national action plan on fundamental and human rights should be prepared during each government term so that fundamental and human rights can be systematically promoted. The third National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights, which covers the period 2020–2023, was adopted as a government resolution on 23 June 2021.

The objective of the action plan is to ensure that the public authorities meet their obligation to guarantee the observance of fundamental and human rights, as laid down in section 22 of the Constitution of Finland. The action plan serves as an instrument strengthening the monitoring of fundamental and human rights in Finland and in this role, it supports knowledge-based policy-making and fundamental and human rights impact assessment. Fundamental and human rights indicators, which provide a new instrument for monitoring fundamental and human rights in the short term and the long term, have been developed as part of the action plan.

Preparation of the action plan has been steered by the Government Network for Fundamental and Human Rights appointed by the Ministry of Justice. The preparatory work has been the responsibility of Ministry of Justice public officials and an expert working group appointed to support the work. In the preparation of the action plan and the selection of indicators, there has been broad-based cooperation in consultation with stakeholders, and special consideration has been given to the Government Programme and the recommendations issued to Finland by the bodies monitoring compliance with international human rights treaties.