Erityiskohteluista

Erityiskohteluista refers to special treatment or preferential handling, often in a legal or administrative context. This can arise in various situations where individuals or groups are treated differently based on specific criteria. In Finnish law, such treatment can be justified under certain conditions, for example, to promote equality or to address historical disadvantages.

The concept of erityiskohtelu is closely linked to principles of non-discrimination and positive action. While discrimination based on protected characteristics like ethnicity, gender, or religion is prohibited, positive action, which is a form of erityiskohtelu, may be permitted or even encouraged to achieve substantive equality. This could involve temporary measures designed to remedy past discrimination or to ensure equal opportunities for underrepresented groups.

However, any form of erityiskohtelu must be proportionate and justifiable. It cannot be arbitrary or based on prejudice. The grounds for special treatment must be clearly defined and applied consistently. The goal is typically to ensure that everyone has a fair chance and that societal disadvantages are addressed. Without these clarifications, the term might be used in a broader, more colloquial sense, referring to any kind of exceptional or tailored treatment, not necessarily tied to legal frameworks.