Finnish lawmakers on Thursday approved an overhaul of the Sami Parliament Act, enhancing the self-governance rights of Europe’s only recognized Indigenous people.
The long-delayed reform, stalled under three prior governments, aligns Finland’s legal framework with its human rights commitments, addressing years of international criticism.
The Sami, numbering around 10,500 in Finland, are constitutionally guaranteed the right to preserve their three distinct languages and culture. Their primary political body, the 21-seat Sami Parliament in Inari, Arctic Finland, oversees decisions in their Lapland homeland in Northern Scandinavia, that they call Sapmi.
The new law refines the electoral system, tying voting and candidate eligibility to linguistic heritage by requiring a Sami language as a mother tongue or its use by a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
“This reform strengthens our power to shape our own governance,” said Tuomas Aslak Juuso, acting speaker of the Sami Parliament, to AFP. “For 14 years, we’ve fought for a free voice.”
The United Nations had repeatedly flagged the old Act for allowing non-Sami-identified individuals onto the electoral roll, violating Finland’s obligations. Critics of the reform, however, argue the new criteria may exclude some rightful voters.
Juuso countered that it frees the parliament to prioritize urgent issues like Sami language preservation.
The Sami, estimated at 75,000-100,000 across Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, maintain a vibrant presence in Sapmi. The reform, passed after heated debate, marks a turning point, ensuring the Sami Parliament – elected every four years – can better serve its people’s cultural and political aspirations.