Human rights Government report: The erosion of democracy and climate change threaten human rights

Human rights and the state of democracy has long deteriorated in dozens of countries, and features of authoritarian exercise of power, such as restrictions on freedom of expression and civic activity, are on the rise, including in EU countries.

In addition, climate change and the loss of nature threaten the realization of fundamental rights.

Among other things, these concerns regarding the development of human rights will be raised in the new Government in the Human Rights Policy Report, which was adopted on Thursday.

The report outlines Finland’s international human rights activities and its steering effect is multi-year. Reports have been issued no more than once during the term of office.

New report according to that development has only continued and the actions of China, Russia and other states questioning human rights are becoming more visible.

“The erosion of democracy has been going on for a long time, as has the universality of human rights being called into question. China’s growing influence is reflected in international human rights policy, ”says human rights ambassador Rauno Merisaari To HS.

Concerns about human rights can also be found within the EU, but at the same time, a recent report sees the EU’s role as a defender of human rights growing.

On the other hand, according to Merisaari, the international human rights treaty system has remained stable. The only rift was Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Agreement, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.

Resistant developments are the main themes of the new report. In the 2014 report, the word climate was mentioned once. In the new report, it is mentioned 28 times.

“Climate change is expected to have a decisive impact on the realization of fundamental and human rights. At the same time, legal developments are taking place: negotiations are likely to begin at the UN on a human rights treaty that outlines the right to a clean and safe environment, ”says Merisaari.

The role of nationally and internationally active companies in the realization of human rights is taken into account in the report. The weight of corporate responsibility in the report has increased since 2014.

The new report emphasizes the potential of digital services and new technologies for the realization of human rights, but also the potential for greater violations of fundamental and human rights, such as the protection of privacy.

Civic activities in terms of human rights have diversified, the new report states.

In addition to traditional human rights organizations, environmental movements involve athletes as well as athletes and well-known artists.

Foreign minister Pekka Haaviston According to Finland, Finland and the EU adhere to their own values ​​and defend universal human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

“They are an integral part of an international rules-based system. We need regulations that apply to all countries so that we can answer cross-border questions such as climate change or digitalisation, ”Haavisto said in a press release.

In international human rights activities, Finland emphasizes gender equality and the rights of indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and sexual and gender minorities, and in European activities, the rights of the Roma.

“Equality and the achievement of gender equality are fundamental and human rights issues of particular importance to us. Their implementation requires not only a policy to reduce inequality but also to strengthen the participation rights of disadvantaged groups and individuals, ”says Haavisto.

On the basis of the national report, the recommendations received by Finland from the contract enforcement bodies are discussed. In the case of Finland, international treaty enforcement bodies have paid special attention to violence against women, the rights of the Sámi people and the legal strengthening of gender.

Previous The report is from 2014.

At that time, the report drew attention to, for example, the fundamental rights effects of the public finance crisis and the economic downturn.

As early as 2014, it was noted that efforts to question the universality of human rights have increased at the UN and in regional organizations. At the same time, it was noted that the economic crisis had caused, among other things, an increase in xenophobia in some EU countries.