The Constitution provides citizens with the right to peacefully change their Government, and citizens exercise this right in practice through periodic, free and fair elections held on the basis of universal suffrage. Women are fairly well represented in government. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense as well as the Associate Minister of Finance are women, as are the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Bank of Finland. In 1995 Parliament passed quota legislation for all state committees, commissions, and appointed municipal bodies, requiring a minimum of 40 percent membership from each sex. Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights A number of human rights groups operate without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases.
Government officials are very cooperative and responsive to their views.
The law prohibits any discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, language, or social status, and the Government effectively enforces these provisions. President Ahtisaari mentioned the danger of xenophobia and racism in his New Year's speech to the nation. A ministerial group was established to devise a government program against racism by year's end. Initial plans include improved human rights training for police and other officials and more antidiscrimination education. Antiracism public relations activities increased and include projects targeting elementary and secondary schools.