Government of Finland

“ Everyone has the freedom of association. Freedom of association entails the right to form an association without a permit, to be a member or not to be a member of an association and to participate in the activities of an association. The freedom to form trade unions and to organise in order to look after other interests is likewise guaranteed. (3) More detailed provisions on the exercise of the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association are laid down by an Act. ”

“ A Minister shall, without delay after being appointed, present to the Parliament an account of his or her commercial activities, shareholdings and other significant assets, as well as of any duties outside the official duties of a Minister and of other interests which may be of relevance when his or her performance as a member of the Government is being evaluated. ”

“ The constitution shall guarantee the inviolability of human dignity and the freedom and rights of the individual and promote justice in society. (3) Finland participates in international co-operation for the protection of peace and human rights and for the development of society.
Section 2 Democracy and the rule of law
(1) The powers of the State in Finland are vested in the people, who are represented by the Parliament. (2) Democracy entails the right of the individual to participate in and influence the development of society and his or her living conditions. ”

“ The right to nominate a candidate in the election for President is held by any registered political party from whose candidate list at least one Representative was elected to the Parliament in the most recent parliamentary elections, as well as by any group of twenty thousand persons who have the right to vote. The time of the election and the procedure in the election of a President are laid down by an Act. ”

“ A rapporteur shall be responsible for a decision made upon his or her presentation, unless he or she has filed an objection to the decision. (3) Everyone who has suffered a violation of his or her rights or sustained loss through an unlawful act or omission by a civil servant or other person performing a public task shall have the right to request that the civil servant or other person in charge of a public task be sentenced to a punishment and that the public organisation, official or other person in charge of a public task be held liable for damages, as provided in more detail by an Act. ”

“ Section 124 Delegation of administrative tasks to others than the authorities A public administrative task may be delegated to others than public authorities only by an Act or by virtue of an Act, if this is necessary for the appropriate performance of the task and if basic rights and liberties, legal remedies and other requirements of good governance are not endangered. ”

“ The public authorities shall promote employment and work towards guaranteeing for everyone the right to work. Provisions on the right to receive training that promotes employability are laid down by an Act. (3) No one shall be dismissed from employment without a lawful reason. ”

“ Finnish citizens shall not be prevented from entering Finland or deported or extradited or transferred from Finland to another country against their will. (4) The right of foreigners to enter Finland and to remain in the country is regulated by an Act. A foreigner shall not be deported, extradited or returned to another country, if in consequence he or she is in danger of a death sentence, torture or other treatment violating human dignity. ”

“ Every Finnish citizen who has reached eighteen years of age has the right to vote in national elections and referendums. Specific provisions in this Constitution shall govern the eligibility to stand for office in national elections. (2) Every Finnish citizen and every foreigner permanently resident in Finland, having attained eighteen years of age, has the right to vote in municipal elections and municipal referendums, as provided by an Act. ”

“ A Representative shall not be arrested or detained before the commencement of a trial without the consent of the Parliament, unless he or she is for substantial reasons suspected of having committed a crime for which the minimum punishment is imprisonment for at least six months. ”

“ Everyone has the right to leave the country. Limitations on this right may be provided by an Act, if they are necessary for the purpose of safeguarding legal proceedings or for the enforcement of penalties or for the fulfilment of the duty of national defence. ”