Finland’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) has again been accredited with the highest possible accreditation status A. This was confirmed in March 2025 when the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) issued its recommendation and the decision was confirmed by GANHRI’s bodies.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, together with the Human Rights Centre and its Human Rights Delegation, is an independent national structure whose task is to promote, protect, and monitor the implementation of the UN Convention (CRPD) (in accordance with Article 33.2 of the Convention).

The SCA highlighted several strengths supporting the accreditation of Finland’s NHRI with the highest status. Among other things, the SCA noted that the institution operates independently and has extensive mandates to monitor and promote human rights in Finland. According to the SCA, the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman has developed plans that support non-discrimination and diversity in recruitment and activities. The Human Rights Centre and its Delegation on the other hand promote the realisation of fundamental and human rights through communication, education, international cooperation and other activities.

‘A status’ entitles Finland's NHRI to speak in the sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and to vote in the meetings of GANHRI. This gives the institution a strong position in the promotion of human rights both in Finland and internationally.

Duties of the Finnish National Human Rights Institution

The duty of the Ombudsman is to monitor that all authorities and civil servants comply with the law and fulfil their responsibilities. The Ombudsman has a particular duty to ensure that fundamental and human rights are upheld. In addition, the Ombudsman has been assigned certain special duties, such as the secret coercive measures used by the police and the realisation of children’s rights. The Ombudsman also acts as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) referred to in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.As the NPM, the Ombudsman may inspect places where persons deprived of their liberty are held.

The Human Rights Centre is tasked with promoting information,  training, education and research associated with fundamental and human rights. The Centre also prepares reports on the realisation of these rights, takes initiatives  and issues statements for the promotion of the rights, and participates in international cooperation in the area. The Centre does not handle complaints. 

The Human Rights Centre’s Delegation functions as a national cooperative body for fundamental and human rights actors. The Delegation deals with far-reaching and significant matters of fundamental and human rights and approves the Centre’s plan of action and annual report. The Delegation is chaired by the Director of the Human Rights Centre and has 20–40 members who serve terms of four years.