Equality and legislation

There are provisions on equality in all its forms, equal treatment and non-discrimination in the Constitution, the Non-Discrimination Act, the Act on Equality between Women and Men, the Criminal Code and labour laws. The Administrative Procedure Act requires that public authorities treat their customers on an equal basis.

Basic rights under the Constitution (731/1999)
The new Constitution came into force on 1 March 2000. Under it, everyone is equal before the law. Section 6 includes a general prohibition against discrimination.

Non-Discrimination Act (21/2004)
The purpose of the Non-Discrimination Act is to foster and safeguard equality and enhance the protection provided by law to those who have been discriminated against. Under the Non-Discrimination Act, public authorities have a duty, in all that they do, to take systematic and deliberate steps to further equality, and make any necessary changes where circumstances prevent it. The Act prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and instructions or orders to discriminate. Prohibited grounds for discrimination are age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, health, disability, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics. The Act requires all public authorities to draw up an equality plan the content of which is set out in the recommendations issued by the Ministry of the Interior in May 2010. The Non-Discrimination Act implements the EU Anti-Racism Directive and the Employment Equality Directive.