Adequate resources should be secured for and sensitivity to human rights concerns are importantelements in this process. The universal nature of human rights should be beyond question and doubt. All women, men and children, enjoying or demanding those rights are equal regardless of their nationality or cultural identity. This year, human rights are made more widely and better known because there are still women, men and children who are not awaredo not have an exact picture of their rights. Yet, consciousness of one's rights is the basis for the rule of law, democracy, good governance and full enjoyment of human rights.
Awareness raising is the key to concrete results in the field of human rights.
In Finland the Government will raise awareness of human rights by presenting this October for a parliamentary discussion the first comprehensive report on the human rights policy of Finland. We attach particular importance to the human rights of women, children, minorities and indigenous peoples. We call for the universal abolition of death penalty as an inhuman form of punishment. The role of the human rights defenders and NGOs is vital in promoting human rights. In this task they need special protection.