Committee for International Indigenous and EU Affairs
The Committee for International Indigenous and EU Affairs operates under the Sámi Parliament’s Executive Board and is responsible for the preparation and advancement of Sámi international and EU affairs. The Committee prepares proposals and statements concerning the legal status and rights of the Sámi, and promotes the implementation of international agreements, cooperation with international bodies, and Sámi participation in EU decision-making.
- The Sámi Parliament’s Plenum elects a chair, a vice chair, up to five other members, and personal deputy members to the Committee for the duration of the parliamentary term.
- The chair and vice chair must be full members of the Sámi Parliament.
- The Committee represents the linguistic and regional diversity of the Sámi in Finland and possesses strong expertise in its field of responsibility.
Tasks include
- 1) Preparing and implementing the Sámi Parliament’s strategy for international and EU affairs and its key objectives.
- Coordinating and advancing the international activities of the Sámi Parliament under the leadership of the President of the Sámi Parliament.
- Preparing proposals, initiatives, statements and other positions concerning the status and rights of the Sámi from the perspective of international human rights and Indigenous rights agreements.
- Cooperating with international organisations and institutions on matters related to Sámi rights, international affairs and EU issues.
- Promoting the implementation, application and development of international legal agreements related to the rights of the Sámi.
- Advancing Sámi participation in decision-making within EU institutions.
- Ensuring that Sámi rights are taken into account and advanced in decisions of EU institutions.
- Carrying out other tasks within its field of responsibility.
