Law on amending the Criminal Code

Policy Response DateJune 13, 2011 Country: Finland General Type: Equality/Integration Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-semitism, Islamophobia, Religious intolerance, Homophobia, On grounds of disability, On grounds of other belief
Groups affected / Interested in: Religious minorities, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Persons with disability Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Daily life

The Parliament of Finland adopted a law amending the Criminal Code on 13 May 2011. The provision on grounds for increasing the punishment (Chapter 4, Section 5) was extended from covering national, racial or ethnic population group to also religion or belief, sexual orientation and disability.

Similarly, the provision prohibiting ethnic agitation (Chapter 9, Section 10) was amended to cover more population groups. The new provision prohibits incitement to hatred also on grounds of religion or belief, sexual orientation and disability. In addition, a new provision, aggravated incitement to hatred (Chapter 9, Section 10a), was added to the Criminal Code. This provision is applicable to incitement to genocide and other serious human rights violations, murder or manslaughter with a terrorist aim.

The amendments entered into force on 1 May 2011.