Tuomas Aslak Juuso at the EMRIP session in Geneva: Reform of the Act on the Sámi Parliament and the strengthening of indigenous peoples’ right to participate enhance the realization of human rights
Tuomas Aslak Juuso, the Second Vice-Chair of the Sámi Parliament of Finland, attended the annual session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), held in Geneva from July 13 to 17. In his statements, he expressed the Sámi Parliament’s appreciation for EMRIP’s support regarding the reform of the Act on the Sámi Parliament.
- EMRIP’s support for the Sámi Parliament has been important throughout the various stages of the legislative reform. Its expertise has strengthened understanding of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its implementation. The reform of the Act on the Sámi Parliament is a significant step towards strengthening Sámi self-determination in Finland, Juuso notes.
As his key message, Juuso highlighted the strengthening of indigenous peoples’ right to participate in UN work in his address to the session. Results have been achieved as regards the right to participate, but the work continues.
- Significant strides have already been made in the UN in strengthening the right of indigenous peoples to participate. It is now crucial to continue this work and initiate negotiations on how to secure permanent and good opportunities for indigenous peoples’ own representative bodies to participate in the work of the UN Human Rights Council. Such participation must be based on indigenous peoples being able to take part through their own, self-selected representatives, Juuso emphasized in his address.
EMRIP is an expert body under the UN Human Rights Council that supports states and indigenous peoples in the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Sámi Parliament considers the continuation of dialogue and cooperation with EMRIP to be of great importance.
Tuomas Aslak Juuso
Second Vice-Chair
Sámi Parliament in Finland
