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statement

05.10.2019

Seta and IGLYO: Gaps in LGBTIQ+ youths’ wellbeing need to be addressed

Helsinki Pride 2017.

Gender and sexual minorities human rights organisation Seta and the European LGBTQI+ youth and student organisation IGLYO demand the Finnish government to address gaps in the wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ youth. The situation of LGBTIQ+ youth across Europe is being discussed at IGLYO’s annual members conference taking place in Helsinki from Friday to Sunday.

“Significant gaps in the rights of gender and sexuality minor children and youth exist all across Europe, also in Finland. We know that LGBTIQ+ youth all over Europe experience violence and discrimination in schools without it being addressed properly. They also lack access to information about diversity of gender identities and sexual orientations. LGBTIQ+ are especially vulnerable because they often feel insecurity in their families“ says IGLYO’s co-chair Anna Robinson.

IGLYO has conducted a European-wide survey on LGBTQI+ Inclusive Education with the participation of over 15.000 LGBTIQ+ young people from all across Europe (13 to 24 year-old). Although results will only be published in 2020, a preliminary analysis shows that only 15% of the respondents have never experienced bullying or harrassment based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and variations in sex characteristics. This goes in line with other European research that shows that LGBTIQ+ students are 2 to 5 times more likely to experience this type of violence.

In Finland, preliminary results from the National School Health Survey (2019) indicate that different forms of violence are more common among especially vulnerable children and youth. The results show that youngsters with a physical disability, who have an immigrant background, who belong to gender and sexual minorities or are placed outside of homes experience significantly more of school bullying, sexually suggestive expressions or harassment, sexual violence and parental psychological or physical violence. (Ikonen & Helakorpi 2019)

Trans youth face mental health challenges more often than gender majority youth. Mental health problems are more frequent also among children who experience gender incongruence. About half of Finnish trans youth has had suicidal thoughts, almost all have experienced psychological violence and half have experienced physical violence. Violence and discrimination are experienced at home and at school.

Through it’s EU Presidency, Finland has sought to lead the advancement of LGBTQI+ rights across Europe. That leadership should, ideally, lead to Europe’s most progressive trans rights legislation in Finland. Progressive trans rights legislation is based on the right of trans people to determine their gender, without medical and bureaucratic intervention, regardless of their age:

“We cannot leave minors out when reforming the trans legislation in Finland. Young trans peoples’ well being increases when they are able to freely express their gender. This includes respecting the name chosen by the person and providing id papers matching their gender. Minors right to self determination also regarding their gender needs to be ensured” says Seve Hujanen, chair for Seta’s youth committee.

The right to non-discrimination is a key principle of the rights of the child. Vulnerable children like those belonging to gender and sexual minorities have the right to special protection.

“Promotion of the rights and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ youth requires targeted measures whether we’re talking about the education sector, social and health services, prevention from violence or youth policies.” says Secretary General Kerttu Tarjamo from Seta. Effective monitoring and evaluation of all these measures is also necessary to ensure they are put in place and followed by all school systems.

A few weeks ago Finland put LGBTI human rights in the core of its EU Presidency by organising a high level LGBTI event in Brussels. At the event results on attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ people were presented. One of the key results was that the attitudes towards gender minorities are much harsher than towards sexual minorities.

“We know that only few countries in Europe have ensured minors’ rights to legal gender recognition. Finland could show further leadership on the European level by addressing trans minors rights in its own trans legislation. Leadership requires concrete steps” says Seta´s Secretary General Kerttu Tarjamo.

Additional information:

Results regarding the well-being of LGBTIQ+ youth will be published in November as part of the national plan to combat violence 2020-2025.

IGLYO is the biggest international LGBTQI+ youth and student umbrella organisation. IGLYO has 95 member organisations in over 40 countries. IGLYO works to make education safe and inclusive for all, build the capacity of young activists and increase visibility of LGBTQI+ people in Europe. IGLYO receives funding from the European Union, Council of Europe’s European Youth Foundation and the Government of the Netherlands.

Annual conference website: https://www.iglyo.com/amc/

19.09.2012

Seta will address the UN Human Rights Council in a historical first speech

Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland will participate in the UPR review of Finland’s human rights situation today at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. Seta will raise legislative and policy demands in a statement delivered by ILGA-Europe.

Finland has accepted a recommendation by Iceland to increase efforts in the field of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, inter alia, by review of national legislation and administration with a view to eliminate discrimination against LGBTI people with regard to family and parental rights and the right to security and integrity of the person.

Seta welcomes this but will present demands and suggestions for concrete and effective implementation of the recommendation. Especially trans and intersex persons are at risk of discrimination and social exclusion. Full statement by Seta will be available online at the time of the debate at www.seta.fi.

Every member state of the UN undergoes the UPR human rights review every four years. This is the second time that Finland is being reviewed.

The debate will be held between 5pm and 6pm CET. Watch the live stream here.

More information: Aija Salo, Secretary General, Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland, tel. +358 (0)50 309 8108, paasihteeri[at]seta.fi

19.09.2012

Seta demanded action for LGBTI people’s human rights at Finland’s human rights review at the UN

Today, Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland held a historical speech as it addressed the Human Rights Council of the United Nations for the first time. The speech was a part of the Universal Periodic Review of Finland. Seta demanded that Finland adopts a comprehensive LGBTI human rights policy.

Seta stated that despite progress, significant challenges remain in the human rights situation of LGBTI people in Finland. Gender nonconforming children face transphobic bullying in schools. Discrimination in the employment market is common, and many trans persons remain outside the labour force. Intersex children sometimes suffer serious mental and physical complications due to surgical operations that lack medical grounds.

Seta noted that the recently adopted National Action Plan for Human Rights has very few references to sexual orientation or gender identity. Seta suggested drafting a comprehensive LGBTI policy action plan. Seta also raised the importance of some ongoing legal reforms.

Seta’s statement was delivered by Nori Spauwen representing ILGA-Europe. The statement can be read below.

More information: Aija Salo, Secretary General, tel. +358 (0)50 309 8108, paasihteeri@seta.fi

Finland’s response to the UPR recommendations on the website of the foreign ministry
The UPR resource base on the OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx

UPR: Finland

ILGA-Europe and Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland

United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, 19th September 2012

Mr. President,

we commend Finland for accepting the recommendation to increase its efforts in combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We are looking forward to an effective and comprehensive implementation of the commitment.

Whilst we welcome the progress delivered by this Government, significant challenges still remain. Trans and intersex persons face serious discrimination. Gender nonconforming children face transphobic bullying in schools. Discrimination in the employment market is common, and many trans persons remain unemployed. Intersex children sometimes suffer serious mental and physical complications due to surgical operations that lack medical grounds.

The government states that a working group will be appointed to examine the need to amend the Act on Legal Recognition of the Gender of Transsexuals. We urge the government to proceed with this commitment very soon. Persons applying for gender marker change currently face degrading conditions such as infertility requirement that shows the legislator´s lack of understanding the everyday lives of trans persons, of which many already have children and families.

The government states that a possible need to amend family legislation will be discussed. Currently there are several legislative procedures where the equal treatment of LGBTI people´s families should be taken into account. Children should not be treated unequally depending on their parents´ gender.

We note that the recently adopted National Action Plan for Human Rights has very few references to LGBTI people. This places a serious challenge on the government to show concrete commitment to policies to improve the human rights of LGBTI people. While many authorities are working on improving the equality of LGBTI persons, there is a need for a more coherent and coordinated policy. We suggest drafting a comprehensive LGBTI policy action plan and defining responsibilities for implementation and monitoring the plan.

Finally, we thank Finland for a constructive dialogue during the UPR process and stand ready for further interaction to ensure that all LGBTI people can enjoy their citizenship in full equality.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Seta (or Transtukipiste)
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