The provision contains a prohibition of interference in the essential elements of liberty as referred to in Article 8 of the Covenant. Personal integrity has been emphasised in recent practice of the Constitutional Law Committee of Parliament. The established prohibition of torture is now provided for in the Constitution which is highest in the hierarchy of legislation. The principle of rule of law in criminal justice means that only such acts for which sanctions are provided for by law constitute criminal offences and only a penalty prescribed by law may be imposed. This principle is now included in the Constitution, and corresponds to Article 15 of the Covenant.
Freedom of movement is a traditional fundamental right in Finland.
Freedom of movement consists of the right to move freely within the country and to choose the place of residence, the right to leave the country and as regards Finnish citizens, the right to return to the country. When legislation is passed on the right of foreigners to enter the country and reside there, the provisions in Article 7 of the Covenant and in Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention must be taken into account. Protection of private life has in Finland been understood in the wide sense, in the same way as in Article 17 of the Covenant. It covers also the protection of personal data in the registration and application of such data. Freedom of religion and conscience is related to the obligations under Article 18 of the Covenant.