First page | Subjects | In Focus | E-services and forms | Newsroom | A-Z index | Contact information |
You are on the page: First page / Subjects / Law and legal protection
Citizens' fundamental rights are guaranteed in the Constitution. Everyone is equal before the law. Freedom of speech is a universal right, as is the right to choose a religion or not to belong to any religious group. People have the right to move about freely, to choose where they want to live and to gather without asking for permission. All citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote in elections. Citizens also have the right to use their own mother tongue.
The Government is responsible for drafting laws, which are approved by the President but enacted by Parliament. Laws are supplemented by decrees. European Union legislation has a significant bearing on Finnish legislation. The form of government, way of enacting laws, fundamental rights of individuals and the relationships of the highest government bodies are determined in the Constitutional Act. Information on the laws and documents under preparation is available from the authorities.
Ordinary people can make a difference to issues of common interest by voting and standing as candidates. Civic activities and engaging in social debate are also ways of influencing issues. Members of municipal councils, Parliament, and the President and members of the European Parliament are elected in direct elections, in which those aged 18 and over have the right to participate. In addition, consultative referendums can also be held.
Everyone has protection and is equal under the law. The supreme guardians of the law are the Chancellor of Justice and the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Some special areas also have their own judicial control. The Council for Mass Media monitors the activities of the media. Copyright is protected by law.
The courts are responsible for settling the validity and legality of individual cases. The courts are independent and are bound only by the law currently in force. Criminal and civil cases together with petitions are heard in district courts. A district court ruling can usually be appealed in a higher court. The task of the prosecutor is to see that the crime is punished in accordance with the law.
The task of local authority consumer advisers is to help consumers and to give advice. Advisers arbitrate in disputes between consumers and sellers and can also help, if necessary, in making a complaint. The Consumer Agency and Consumer Ombudsman represent the position of consumers in Finnish society. The Consumer Ombudsman monitors the laws drawn up to protect consumers to see they are being observed.
Everyone has the right to know what personal data is used for and how it is processed. People also have the opportunity to check their own personal details held in registers. It is also possible to prohibit personal details from being used for direct marketing, for instance. The Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman helps and advises in matters involving personal data and also monitors the legality of processing personal data.
Children automatically become Finnish citizens when they are born if the mother or father is a Finnish citizen. Foreigners can apply for citizenship if they have lived in the country for a sufficient length of time and their identity has been established. Finland also accepts dual nationality: Finns will not lose their nationality if they become a citizen of another state. Likewise, foreigners need not give up their own nationality.
The “Send Suomi.fi link” functionality lets you add Suomi.fi pages to your bookmarks and send Suomi.fi pages by e-mail to the recipients of your choice. You can also share Suomi.fi content with your network in social networking services. Using these services is usually free of charge, but they require user registration.
Page updated on 13.01.2010 | Suomi.fi editorial team | State Treasury
Printer-friendly version
