The International Fellowship of Reconciliation regularly engages in States reviews at the UN, in particular during the Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council and at the Human Rights Committee.
During the UPR review, NGOs have the opportunity to submit a country based report and to actively engage in the pre-session. IFOR submitted a report on the situation of the right to conscientious objection to military service in Finland, last year at the 41st session of the UPR. Later in September engaged at the pre-session together with the Union of Conscientious Objectors from Finland (AKL) whose representative gave a presentation during the pre-session.
A joint advocacy activity at the UN in Geneva and locally in Helsinki followed and 5 countries made specific recommendations to Finland regarding the issue of punitive alternative service, imprisonment of objectors and other during the formal session of the UPR last November.
Click here to watch the 41st UPR of Finland.
The UPR procedure ends with the adoption of the report of the Working Group during the Human Rights Council.
On Monday 27th, the Council adopted the UPR report on Finland and members states and representatives of the civil society had the chance to take the floor. Jyry Virtanen of AKL, spoke on behalf of IFOR to comment on the no acceptance of Finland of the thematic recommendations and encouraging the government to comply with international standards.
Human Rights Council, 52nd Session
27th March 2023
UPR adoption – Finland
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Mr. President,
During the 4th cycle of the UPR, Finland received five recommendations from Costa Rica, Croatia, Luxembourg, Panama and Uruguay to comply with international standards concerning the right to conscientious objection to military service. In particular to ensure an alternative service nor punitive or discriminatory as to its nature and duration1fully under civilian authority; to end the imprisonment of conscientious objectors and extend the possibility to alternative service.
Finland merely noted those recommendations and stated that they are already addressing them2. Unfortunately, these issues are still affecting conscientious objectors and their rights.
The Human Rights Committee raised concerns about the prosecutions and discrimination against conscientious objectors to military service and lack of awareness with regard to non-military service3. Unfortunately, none of the recommendations regarding this matter have been accepted. The Finnish government stated that “the recommendation to take measures to inform the public of the right to refuse military service and to extend this possibility to alternative military service will be taken into account in connection with the possible call-up reform.”4 However, this call-up reform itself does not comply with international standards. The call-up reform is based on recommendations published by a parliamentary committee on the development on conscription and fulfilling national defence obligation. Recommendations given by the committee would further deteriorate equality within the conscription system.
We encourage Finland to fully comply with international standards pertaining to the human right to conscientious objection and urge the government to reconsider the length of the alternative service, to ensure that the civilian service advisory board is fully under the control of civilian authority and free the current total objectors in probation.5
Thank you.
Click here to download the full statement with footnotes.
Click here to watch the Finnish Conscientious objector (from AKL) accredited by IFOR, delivering the statement.
