Over the last five years, many changes stemming from the Ombudsman's role as a defender of fundamental rights have occurred in the tasks of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. In the context of the fundamental rights reform of 1995, the oversight of fundamental and human rights was assigned to the Parliamentary Ombudsman as a constitutional duty.

The Human Rights Centre, which operates under the auspices of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, was launched in spring 2012. The Centre promotes fundamental and human rights by means of information and training activities, its initiatives and research. The Human Rights Delegation appointed by the Parliamentary Ombudsman convened for the first time in March 2012.

In an amendment of the Parliamentary Ombudsman Act that entered into force in November 2014, the Ombudsman was assigned the duties of a National Preventive Mechanism under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In this capacity, the Ombudsman's competence also extends to private parties maintaining places where persons deprived of their liberty are held or may be held.

In December 2014, Finland's National Human Rights Institution was accredited with A status, which indicates the highest possible standard. This entitles the institution to take the floor in sessions of the UN Human Rights Council among others. The National Human Rights Institution consists of the Parliamentary Ombudsman together with the Human Rights Centre and its Human Rights Delegation.

The Parliament is currently debating the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Under this bill, Finland's National Human Rights Institution would be appointed the mechanism designated to promote, protect and monitor the rights of persons with disabilities.