The Parliament of Finland has passed the amendment to the Sámi Parliament Act – Thirty years of work by the Sámi Parliament pays off

A long wait is over, the Parliament of Finland approved the amendment to the Sámi Parliament Act with a clear majority.

– Today is a historical day for the Sámi people. This long plight is over, and the unrelenting work of the Sámi community is being rewarded, says Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, President of the Sámi Parliament.

For thirty years, as the official representative of the Sámi in Finland, the Sámi Parliament has demanded the revision of the Sámi Parliament Act ever since its enactment in 1995. The Sámi Parliament has never accepted the “Lapp criterion” in the section concerning the right to vote. The “Lapp criterion”, which is an indicator of livelihoods rather than ethnicity, will now finally be removed from the Act.

– This violation of international human rights conventions, which has prevailed in Finland as noted by the United Nations in 2019 and 2022, will now be rectified. These human rights violations stem from the Supreme Administrative Court interpreting the criteria included in the Sámi Parliament Act determining the right to vote in Sámi Parliament elections in a way that the Sámi Parliament has never accepted. This has resulted in individuals being admitted to the electoral register despite not being recognized by Sámi Parliament bodies as members of the Sámi community, says Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, President of the Sámi Parliament.

– I want to thank Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his cabinet for their commitment to confirming the Sámi people’s right to self-determination, and for carrying the Sámi Parliament Act amendment through to its goal. Thanks are also due to the opposition parties that gave their staunch support for the amendment, says Näkkäläjärvi.

A question of whether the Sámi have a free voice of their own in Finland

Preparations for the amendment to the Sámi Parliament Act lasted over a decade, spanning four government terms. The first working group was established as early as 2012, but it was not until the cabinet of Prime Minister Orpo (National Coalition Party) that the goal of amending the Sámi Parliament Act was finally achieved.

– I am glad for the constructive cooperation and good dialogue between us at the Sámi Parliament and the cabinet of Prime Minister Orpo. I want to thank the entire Parliament and especially the Constitutional Law Committee for their commitment during this process, says Tuomas Aslak Juuso, II Vice President of the Sámi Parliament.

With the amendment, Finland will acknowledge the Sámi people’s right to self-determination in its own internal legislation as well. One of the ways the fulfilment of this right will be reinforced is by improving the procedures for cooperation and negotiation between the Sámi and government authorities in the spirit of the internationally established FPIC (free, prior and informed consent).

The criteria for voting rights and the eligibility to run as candidates in Sámi Parliament elections will be reformed in such a way that the Sámi people’s right to self-determination will be respected, and the internationally noted violations of human rights will be rectified. A new, independent and well-informed board of appeals will be established to resolve any future potential disagreements. The Supreme Administrative Court will retain its role in this regard only through a leave-to-appeal mechanism.

– This legislation is fundamentally about whether the Sámi in Finland have a free voice of their own. With the amendment to the Sámi Parliament Act, it is important to improve the structures for negotiation and cooperation, as there have been situations where cooperation was refused. This way, we will be able to work together with Finnish society to ensure a future for Sámi languages and culture in Finland, Juuso continues.

The amended Act brings concrete improvements

The amended Act will improve self-governance on Sámi language and culture, as well as improve the operating conditions of the Sámi Parliament.

– The reform of the obligation to cooperate and negotiate holds significance for the future, as it brings predictability and streamline negotiation processes with government authorities, says Leo Aikio, I Vice President of the Sámi Parliament.

– I am especially glad that the amended Act will bring concrete improvements, such as multiple voting stations on election day for each municipality in the Sámi region, as well as a mobile voting station. These reforms will improve democracy, making it easier to vote in the Sámi region, where distances are long, Aikio continues.

The amendment is the result of a collective effort by the Sámi community

The amendment to the Sámi Parliament Act is a collective achievement of the Sámi community. The Sámi Parliament’s presidents thank all of those who have contributed their efforts toward the amendment over the past thirty years.

– Special thanks are due to the previous Sámi Parliaments, as well as the previous Presidents of the Sámi Parliament: Pekka Aikio, Klemetti Näkkäläjärvi and Tiina Sanila-Aikio, who undertook great efforts during their terms. We wholeheartedly thank the Sámi community, Sámi volunteers, Sámi activists, and every Sámi who has given their time and effort to this amendment, say Näkkäläjärvi, Aikio and Juuso.

– We also extend great appreciation for our partners and supporters in Finnish society who stood with the Sámi during this process, say Näkkäläjärvi, Aikio and Juuso.

More time for language and cultural work

The Sámi Parliament now looks to the future, as it is no longer occupied with the amendment process of the Sámi Parliament Act.

– We have a great deal of work ahead of us. All three of the living Sámi languages in Finland need support and revitalization. Sámi culture deserves more support. Traditional Sámi livelihoods require a program for climate change adaptation. The position of the Sámi in EU decision making must be strengthened. The Sámi Parliament also wants to actively contribute to the vitality of the Sámi region and ensuring that the northern region remains inhabited, state Näkkäläjärvi, Aikio and Juuso.

Additional information:

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi (only on Thursday 19 June)
President
+358 (0)40 7533 766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi

Leo Aikio
I Vice President
+358 (0)40 621 6505
leo.aikio@samediggi.fi

Tuomas Aslak Juuso
II Vice President
+358 (0)40 687 3394
tuomas.juuso@samediggi.fi