Finland is a European country. It has direct borders with Sweden, Norway
and Russia. The population of the country is approx 55,36,000 with
3,38,455 square kilometers area. The official languages are Finnish and
Swedish. Although ethnographically about 92% of citizens are Finns.
About 70% of people are Christians and 29% follow no religion.
According to the Constitution of Finland, if a specific act is declared a
crime, engaging in a similar activity at an earlier date will not be
considered a crime. Freedom of religion is guaranteed. No one is
compelled against his own will to participate in the practice of
religion. One is able to organize and participate in discussions or
protests without taking any permission from the authorities.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
Article 60 of the Constitution states that Finnish citizens known to be
honest are eligible for ministerial posts. But there is no clear
definition of what kind of person is meant by "honest". Åland Island is
part of Finland, but it has autonomy. This system is against the
principle of "universal law for the whole country". Only cultural
aspects such as dress or food may be local, but not overall everything.
Finland is ostensibly "secular" but has special provisions for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Admirable Articles of Finland's Constitution
Section 8. The principle of legality in criminal cases
No one shall be found guilty of a criminal offence or be sentenced to a punishment on the basis of a deed, which has not been determined punishable by an Act at the time of its commission. The penalty imposed for an offence shall not be more severe than that provided by an Act at the time of commission of the offence.
Section 11. Freedom of religion and conscience
Everyone has the freedom of religion and conscience.
Freedom of religion and conscience entails the right to profess and practice a religion, the right to express one's convictions and the right to be a member of or decline to be a member of a religious community. No one is under the obligation, against his or her conscience, to participate in the practice of a religion.
Section 13. Freedom of assembly and freedom of association
Everyone has the right to arrange meetings and demonstrations without a permit, as well as the right to participate in them.
Everyone has the freedom of association. Freedom of association entails the right to form an association without a permit, to be a member or not to be a member of an association and to participate in the activities of an association. The freedom to form trade unions and to organise in order to look after other interests is likewise guaranteed.
Section 31. Freedom of speech and conduct of Representatives
Each Representative has the right to speak freely in the Parliament on all matters under consideration and on how they are dealt with.
A Representative shall conduct himself or herself with dignity and decorum, and not behave offensively to another person. If a Representative is in breach of such conduct, the Speaker may point this out or prohibit the Representative from continuing to speak. The Parliament may caution a Representative who has repeatedly breached the order or suspend him or her from sessions of the Parliament for a maximum of two weeks.
Section 39. How matters are initiated for consideration in the Parliament
Matters are initiated for consideration in the Parliament on the basis of a Government proposal or a motion submitted by the Government or a motion submitted by a Representative, or in another manner provided in this Constitution or in the Parliament's Rules of Procedure.
Representatives may put forward:
1. Legislative motions, containing a proposal for the enactment of an Act;
2. Budgetary motions, containing a proposal for an appropriation to be included in the budget or a supplementary budget, or for another budgetary decision; and
3. Petitionary motions, containing a proposal for the drafting of a law or for taking other measures.
Section 66. Duties of the Prime Minister (Part of it)
The Prime Minister directs the activities of the Government and oversees the preparation and consideration of matters that come within the mandate of the Government. The Prime Minister chairs the plenary meetings of the Government.
Facts of Finland's Constitution
Section 60. The Government
The Government consists of the Prime Minister and the necessary number of Ministers. The Ministers shall be Finnish citizens known to be honest and competent.
Section 75. Special legislation for the Åland Islands
The legislative procedure for the Act on the Autonomy of the Åland Islands and the Act on the Right to Acquire Real Estate in the Åland Islands is governed by the specific provisions in those Acts.
The right of the Legislative Assembly of the Åland Islands to submit proposals and the enactment of Acts passed by the Legislative Assembly of Åland are governed by the provisions in the Act on the Autonomy of the Åland Islands.
Section 76. The Church Act
Provisions on the organisation and administration of the Evangelic Lutheran Church are laid down in the Church Act.
The legislative procedure for enactment of the Church Act and the right to submit legislative proposals relating to the Church Act are governed by the specific provisions in that Code.
Section 120. Special Status of the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands have self-government in accordance with what is
specifically stipulated in the Act on the Autonomy of the Åland Islands.
