Discrimination of Roma is still general in Finland, says the human rights Ombudsman

Roma Discrimination is common despite the positive development, says the Council of Europe's Human Rights Ombudsman who visited Finland in the autumn Michael O'Falarty.

Finnish Roma representatives and NGOs told the delegate that the general situation of the Roma has improved in recent decades.

« Nonetheless, interlocutors emphasized that cases of discrimination are common and often not even recognized as such, » the memo of the Ombudsman for the Human Rights states.

The Ombudsman for Human Rights was told that Roma experience discrimination in all aspects of life.

Typical The form of discrimination is, among other things, preventing Roma access to services such as restaurants or shops. In addition, Roma can be provided with services under limited or different conditions than other customers.

The memo also describes discrimination in the housing and labor market. Representatives met by the Ombudsman had said that landlords, for example, would refuse to rent homes to the Roma. In addition, the delegate was told about the Roma challenges in accessing a job interview or training.

According to O'Falarty, this can prevent Roma from expressing their identity freely and safely.

« The commissioner heard stories about the Roma who change their last names or avoid using their traditional clothes in certain contexts, seeking to avoid discrimination, and cases where the Roma are ashamed of their identity. »

Government Despite the anti -racism campaign, actors told the human rights Ombudsman that they were concerned about the prevalence and intolerance of Roma.

« They emphasized that Roma vascularity was deeply rooted in Finnish society and should be understood in Finland in a broader atmosphere of racism and intolerance, » the memo states.

According to O'Flarty, the concerns also emphasized hate speech. The delegate was told how social media is often used to convey and distribute hate speech. In particular, hate speech was reported to focus on young Roma.

Human Rights Ombudsman The memo states that there are no appropriations for the implementation of the Finnish Roma Policy Program (Rompo).

O'Falarty recommends, among other things, that authorities ensure efficient implementation and sufficient funding for the Roma policy program. In addition, the commissioner recommends that authorities reject ethnic profiling and improve the relationship between police and Roma.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the memo of the Ombudsman for Human Rights well reflects Finland's position in the management of Roma. In its response, the Ministry says that although Rompo has not been granted separate funds from the state budget, funding can be made possible, for example, through the STEA of the Social and Health Organizations.

The Ministry of the Interior, on the other hand, regrets that the delegate did not meet police representatives during his visit.

The Human Rights Ombudsman visited Finland in September last year. During his visit, he met, among other things, the Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuson (ps), Equality Ombudsman Kristina Stenmanrepresentatives of the Roma Advisory Board and other Roma representatives.