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Ministry of Justice, Finland


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Participation and elections

The Ministry of Justice oversees the structures of democracy and the fundamental rights of citizens. Legislation regarding participation and elections is drafted in the Ministry of Justice.

Information about Finnish elections, electoral legislation and political parties can be found in English on the website vaalit.fi.

Links to the various democracy-related websites and news about matters to be decided have been gathered to the website demokratia.fi.

Citizens can participate in the preparation of legislation and different kinds of projects by commenting current issues on the website Otakantaa.fi where citizens can discuss and follow projects.

According to the Act on citizens' initiative at least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an act to the Parliament. Initiatives can be launched in the online service Kansalaisaloite.fi.

There is also an online service for launching residents' initiatives, Kuntalaisaloite.fi. It is meant for both municipal residents and municipalities.

Website lausuntopalvelu.fi enables statutory consultation online.

vaalit.fi
demokratia.fi (in Finnish)
otakantaa.fi (in Finnish)
kansalaisaloite.fi (in Finnish)
kuntalaisaloite.fi (in Finnish)
lausuntopalvelu.fi (in Finnish)
nuortenideat.fi (in Finnish)

Judicial system

Information about the judicial system, i.e. Finnish courts, prosecution service, legal aid and enforcement, is available in English on the website Oikeus.fi. The site contains, among other things, information about judicial procedures and applying for legal aid. Additionally, the site contains different kinds of forms for citizens.

Suomi.fi is a service provided by the Finnish public administration that contains e-services and forms for citizens, information about public services and news from the public administration. It contains useful information and guidance according to topics relevant in different phases of life.

oikeus.fi
suomi.fi

Legislation in Finlex

The web service Finlex is a public database which provides judicial material free of charge.

The service includes legislation, case law, government proposals, secondary legislation and international treaties. It also contains translations of Finnish acts and decrees. Online guidelines on law drafting also are published in Finlex, e.g Legislative Drafting Process Guide.

Finlex.fi

Criminal offences and penalties

The Criminal Sanctions Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Justice, is the executive authority for the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment and community sanctions. The Criminal Sanctions Agency aims to prevent recidivism and increase security in the society.

The aim of crime prevention is to reduce crime and its effects and to increase safety and the sense of security in the society. Special goals within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice include preventing recidivism and decreasing violence.

Violence is prevented through cooperation with other actors and local crime prevention projects. Citizen participation in developing a safe environment is encouraged. Efforts are also made to improve the position of crime victims.


Criminal Sanctions Agency
National Council for Crime Prevention
Website on safety planning (in Finnish)
Website on decreasing violence (in Finnish)

Research

The strategic planning and decision-making at the Ministry of Justice are based on evaluation of the results and effectiveness of the operations and an operating policy that builds upon research data. From the perspective of the Ministry and its administrative branch, wide-ranging scientific basic research and development of science and research in disciplines such as criminology, law and legal policy are vital.

The Ministry of Justice itself does not conduct research activities in any significant amount, but it commissions universities, research institutes and other research producers to generate information in accordance with its needs. Research for example on legal circumstances, criminality, fundamental and human rights, linguistic rights and democracy is important for the Ministry’s operations. The Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (KRIMO) is the most important body producing research data needed in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice. The statutory duties of KRIMO include monitoring and analysing the functioning of the criminal sanction system and crime control, criminality, legal circumstances, and impacts of the legislation.

The Ministry of Justice participates actively in the Government’s joint analysis, assessment and research activities (VN TEAS), coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office, which generate information that supports decision-making, working practices and management by knowledge http://tietokayttoon.fi.

The research strategy of the Ministry of Justice determines the objectives for research activities in 2017-2020 (publication in Finnish).

Finnish Election Study Portal
The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations
Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy
Statistics on justice by Statistics Finland
Statistics on elections
Findicator - Statistical service provided by Statistics Finland and the Prime Minister's Office

Constitution
Print the entire brochure
Etusivu

In Finland Sovereign Power Rests with the People

What is the constitution?

In Finland the Constitution is the basis of all legislation and exercise of government power. It details the fundamental rules, values and principles of Finnish democracy.

The Constitution specifies the foundations of the relationship between the individual and government. It also contains provisions about the principles of the exercise of power by government, government organization and the relationships between the highest organs of government.

The new Constitution entered into force on 1 March 2000. It is based on four old constitutional acts: the Constitution Act of Finland, the Parliament Act and two acts on ministerial liability. These were passed during the first years of independence. The Parliament has amended these acts over the years, but the principal constitutional traits have remained unchanged. Even the new Constitution has been amended after its entry into force.

The new Constitution reiterates the main principle of the old Constitution Act: in Finland sovereign power lies with the people represented by the Parliament in session.

  • According to the Constitution, sovereign power rests with the people. Democracy includes the individual right to influence decisions that affect us all. The Constitution guarantees civil rights and liberties.
  • The Constitution emphasises the parliamentary traits of the Finnish political system and the status of the Parliament as the supreme state organ: the Government must enjoy its confidence. The President of the Republic takes decisions on the basis of proposals drawn up and presented by the Government.
  • The Parliament elects the Prime Minister who is appointed by the President. The other ministers the President appoints on a nomination by the Prime Minister.
  • The President of the Republic directs the foreign policy of Finland in conjunction with the Government. Also in foreign policy, presidential acts are based on preparations by and cooperation with the Government.
  • According to the Constitution, Finland participates in international cooperation in order to promote peace and to safeguard human rights.
  • Finland is a Member State of the European Union.

Updated on October 19, 2016

 
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