News

25.06.2013

Press release: Putin visits Finland, NGO Seta demands respect of lgbti people’s human rights

Putin visits Finland, Seta demands respect of lgbti people’s human rights.

Finland’s president Sauli Niinistö meets the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, today in Naantali, Finland. The LGBTI human rights NGO Seta asks Putin to turn down the anti-lgbti law and tells Finland’s president and government to condemn the law.

Seta is also worried because of the “foreign agents” law of Russia that is being used to pressure human rights organizations, some of which are LGBTI organizations.

Seta is an LGBTI human rights NGO founded in 1974. It has 21 member organisations all around Finland. Seta aims at a society where everyone can live freely irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Seta is a member of the international LGBTI organisations ILGA-Europe, Transgender Europe and IGLYO.

More information:
Chairperson Juha-Pekka Hippi
puheenjohtaja@seta.fi
tel. +358 (0) 50 593 4100

Press release in Finnish
Press release in Russian [pdf]

15.06.2013

EU Commissioner Viviane Reding receives anti-award from LGBTI organization Seta for disappointing attitude

The Finnish national LGBTI human rights organisation Seta awarded the EU Commissioner for Justice, Citizenship and Fundamental Rights Viviane Reding along with the whole Commission with Seta´s annual anti-award called the “Rat of Honour”. Seta gives the “Rat of Honour” to a person or organization that has expressed discriminatory opinions about LGBTI people, has discriminated against them or has in some other way given LGBTI people a hard time. The award was announced today in Tampere, Finland.

Commissioner Reding recently rejected a call for a comprehensive EU policy in LGBTI issues at the first European IDAHO (International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia) conference hosted by the government of the Netherlands in the Hague, Netherlands, on May 17th where a call for an “LGBTI roadmap” was put forward by 12 EU member states, including Finland. The call followed a large survey by the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU showing very high figures of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the fields of employment, education, goods and services, safety and social attitudes.

When addressing the IDAHO conference, Commissioner Reding claimed the EU is already doing all it can. She stated that progress in LGBTI issues now lies in the hands of the member states, and went on to mock several member states for failure to advance LGBTI people’s rights. Reding´s reaction to the roadmap call was a huge disappointment to member states as well as NGOs and was experienced by many as insulting as the Commissioner went as far as to state that she is glad that she no longer is “alone” in advancing LGBTI issues after the member states have declared their commitment.

”The EU had an excellent opportunity to point out the next steps towards stronger LGBTI politics in Europe but Commissioner Reding failed to seize the moment”, stated Juha-Pekka Hippi, the chairperson of Seta, in his award speech. “Several other Commissioners have done a lot for the LGBTI community but with Commissioner Reding’s attitude the whole Commission suffers in credibility. In that sense this anti-award also goes to the Commission” Juha-Pekka Hippi said.

In addition, Seta published today a positive award, the “Apple of Good Information”. It’s given annually to a someone who has promoted the human rights of LGBTI people. This year, the recipient of the Apple is the Finnish youth magazine Demi for promoting LGBTI inclusive youth culture and language in the Demi magazine and web community. Demi has rejected heteronormativity and gender norms in its articles for the last three years. The initial initiative for this exemplary policy came from the readers themselves. According to Seta, Demi gives a great example of good practice in LGBTI inclusivity to other media as well as to all organisations and professionals working with and for young people.

The awards were delivered at Pirkanmaan Seta’s (Seta’s member organization) 40th anniversary festivities in Tampere after the Pirkanmaa Pride march.

Last year, Seta’s Rat of honour was awarded to the governor of St. Petersburg, Georgyi Poltavchenko, who signed the regional anti-LGBTI bill in St. Petersburg. A similar but even more worrying bill was adopted this week by the lower house of the State Duma of Russia and is already jeopardizing the lives of LGBTI people in all of Russia.

Seta is a national human rights organisation for LGBTI advocacy, educational activities and services. Seta was founded in 1974, three years after the decriminalization of homosexual conduct in Finland. Seta has 21 member organisations around the country, ranging from local branches to national thematic organisations such as Rainbow Families and elderly LGBTI people’s organisations. Seta runs a Trans Support Centre for counceling of trans and intersex persons and their families. http://www.seta.fi/en.php

More information:

Aija Salo, Secretary General, Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland, paasihteeri@seta.fi, tel. +358 50 309 8108

ILGA-Europe´s (the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) media release about the speech of Commissioner Reding on May 17th:
http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/for_media/media_releases/commissioner_reding_refuses_to_take_leadership_or_step_up_eu_action_on_lgbti_issues

05.06.2013

FRA LGBTI report discussed in seminar – government action demanded in Finland

Today, Seta organised together with the Human Rights Centre and the government’s network for human rights focal points a seminar on the results of the big LGBT survey of the EU Fundamental Rights agency (FRA). Also ILGA-Europe Rainbow map and index and Transgender Europe trans rights map were presented. LGBTI and other human rights activists, representatives of ministries and equality bodies as well as researchers discussed broadly the need to step up action to improve the situation of LGBTI people in Finland. The seminar was hosted by the Human Rights Centre in the Parliament.

Jörg Gebhard from FRA presented central findings of the FRA LGBT survey regarding Finland. Experiences of LGBT people of violence and threat are more frequent than the EU average according to the survey. Only 3% of the Finnish respondents had always been open about their identity during their school time, compared with 4% in EU.

FRA presented recommendations to Finland and other member states. Member states should among others support equality bodies in informing LGBT people about their rights and defending those rights. Trade unions and employers should be encouraged to adopt diversity policies inclusive of LGBTI perspectives. Trans people’s situation should receive special attention.

In education, LGBTI issues sold be mainstreamed in school curricula. A safe environment for pupils and students cannot be created without attention to equality and non-discrimination regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation.

During the seminar, many concrete suggestions for cooperation between various actors were made. There are also several legislative and other procedures going on where LGBTI issues could be taken into account. Advocacy by Seta and other human rights organisations continues.

More information:

Video about the results:
http://fra.europa.eu/en/video/2013/eu-lgbt-survey

Data can be explored also country-by-country
http://fra.europa.eu/DVS/DVT/lgbt.php

26.02.2013

Seta published LGBT-youth´s life stories

Seta’s DVD about lives of young LGBT in Finland was published in the end of January.

(From the left) Reiska, Martu Väisänen and Eska.

“Diversity is in us” gathers the stories of eight LGBT youngsters from all around Finland.

Ida, Niko, Darja, Reiska, Petra, Pekka, Tiina and Eska reflect on their lives and families, dating, bullying and getting support. They also discuss how they have dealt with norms they face within the Finnish society.

Reiska, who identifies hirself as transgender, says that it was a bit of a challenge to participate in the making of the film. It took some courage.

“I went back and forth whether to go along because I was worried about the consequences. Everyone would see my story, but so what? I live my life for my own sake. I wanted to be one of the brave young people who would tell about their lives”, 23-year-old Reiska says. “This was my chance to speak for others.”

“This kind of material would have been useful for me as an adolescent, when there was no one else to identify with where I’m from. This is why a agreed to join this project”, 18 year old transsexual Eska tells.

LGBTI Rights in Finland Seta demands that diversity of gender and sexual orientation would be included in all subjects at schools. Anders Huldén, Seta’s Youth Work Coordinator, considers personal stories from everyday life a good way to raise awareness about the consequences of strict norms.

“The stories of these young people give something to think about for everyone, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. This DVD is not enough, though. Diversity truly is in all of us and this must be considered at schools on everyday basis”, Huldén says.

The duration of the DVD is 20 minutes. Subtitles are provided in Finnish, English and Swedish both on the DVD and the clips on YouTube. The DVD was produced during 2012 by Martu Väisänen from Oulu. The DVD is distributed free of charge to schools, youth workers and for educational purposes.

Press quality photos of the young:

https://www. dropbox. com/sh/5vczz02xk9f89xx/HMa34bIv84

Photos: Martu Väisänen

22.01.2013

Seta and Amnesty Finland: The “homosexual propaganda” law breaks human rights

Demonstration against Russia’s “homosexual propaganda” law on Tuesday in front of Russian embassy (Tehtaankatu 1B), Helsinki.

LGBTI Rights in Finland – Seta and Amnesty Finland
Helsinki

Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland and Amnesty Finland demand the State Duma of Russian Federation to withdraw the proposed article 6.13.1 – also known as the “homosexual propaganda” draft law. The first hearing of the law was supposed to be today, but it was postponed for the second time. On Thursday, January 24, the Russian State Duma will approve a new date for consideration. Seta and Amnesty Finland have long campaigned against anti- LGBTI laws in different parts of Russia that put LGBTI people at risk.

The adoption of the article 6.13.1. would violate the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly of LGBTI people and organizations extensively. On some regional and local levels, such as in St. Petersburg, similar legislation has already increased discrimination and persecution of LGBTI people and their organizations.

The law can be used to ban activities that inform the public about diversity of sexual orientation and gender. Passing the law would put LGBTI human rights defenders at risk.

Seta sent a statement addressed to the speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin and reminded that the law goes against the constitution of Russia as well as international human rights agreements.

– Decision makers carry responsibility for severe consequences such as increasing intolerance towards LGBTI people, hate crimes, violence and arbitrary arrests if they vote for this legislation, says Seta´s Chair of the board Juha-Pekka Hippi.

Demonstrators claim that everyone has the right to access correct information about the diversity of gender and sexual orientation as well as the right to be protected against discrimination.

– The law puts at risk not only activities of human rights defenders, but also well-being and lives of LGBT people in general, who will be exposed to even greater violence and discrimination due to institutionalized stigmatization, declares the Russian LGBT Network.

Demonstrations are being held in several countries on Tuesday.

Media contact information:

Juha-Pekka Hippi, Chair of the board, LGBTI Rights in Finland – Seta, +358 50 593 4100

Aija Salo, General Secretary, LGBTI Rights in Finland – Seta, +358 50309 8108

Anu Tuukkanen, Policy Officer, Country issues, Amnesty Finland, +358 40 833 0485

Seta is a national human rights organization, established in 1974. Seta’s goal is a society where everyone can live equally, free of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Seta is the umbrella organization for 21 LGBTI associations all over Finland. Seta is a member of international LGBTI organizations ILGA-Europe, IGLYO and Transgender Europe.

Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights to be respected and protected. Al´s vision is for every person to enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.