Syrjiintäkielto

Syrjiintäkielto is a term used in Finnish public and legal discourse to denote the prohibition of discrimination against individuals or groups on protected grounds. The word is formed from syrjintä, meaning discrimination, and kielto, meaning ban. In common usage the phrase signals the legal and moral obligation to treat people equally and to refrain from unfair differential treatment.

In Finland, prohibitions against discrimination are anchored in constitutional principles and in specific anti-discrimination statutes. The Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as race or ethnic origin, language, religion or belief, opinion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family status. More detailed protections appear in sectoral acts, including non-discrimination and equal-treatment legislation that address both direct and indirect discrimination and outline remedies for those affected.

The syrjiintäkielto covers a broad range of areas, including employment, education, housing, and access to goods and services, as well as public sector decision-making. It obliges public authorities and private actors to avoid biased practices and to provide reasonable accommodations where needed. In practice, violations can be addressed through administrative channels and the courts, with potential remedies such as compensation, injunctions to halt discriminatory practices, and requirements for policy or training changes.

Enforcement is typically supported by bodies such as equality ombudsmen and human-rights institutions, alongside judicial review. Critics sometimes argue about the burden of proof, the adequacy of sanctions, or the scope of protected grounds, while proponents emphasize the framework’s role in safeguarding equal treatment and social cohesion.