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Law No. 446 of 1991 Concerning the Aliens Ombudsman

Date of entry into force:04 March 1991

1.

The post of aliens' ombudsman shall exist within the Ministry of Social Services and Health to protect the situation of aliens and to promote cooperation between aliens, the authorities and organizations.

The mandate and appointment of the aliens' ombudsman shall be established by decree.

2.

The aliens' ombudsman shall:

1Carry out those duties which in accordance with the Law concerning Aliens (378/91) are incumbent upon the aliens' ombudsman.

2By means of initiatives, advice and directives and in cooperation with other authorities and organizations endeavour to protect the situation of aliens.

3Provide general information on the situation of aliens and on legislation concerning aliens and cooperate in making information material available for aliens, and

4Keep up to date with the circumstances and situation of aliens in the different spheres of society.

3.

The aliens' ombudsman may assist an alien to defend his rights and provide him, as apropriate, with legal assistance, where the ombudsman considers it to be a matter of fundamental significance for the legal protection of the alien.

4.

Where the aliens' ombudsman observes discrimination against aliens he shall, by means of advice and directives, make efforts to prevent the discrimination from being continued or repeated.

5.

The aliens' ombudsman may have an office.The office may have, subject to budgetary ressources, the appropriate number of officials, comprising an official to present cases as well as other personnel.

6.

The aliens' ombudsman may, without being impeded by the regulations governing confidentiality, have the right to obtain without charge from other authorities the information which he may need for the protection of those persons who are the subject of this Law and of the Law concerning aliens.

7.

The aliens' ombudsman or those persons appointed to his office may not, unless where so provided, disclose to an outsider or use to his own advantage information which he may have obtained during the course of his work concerning the personal situation, state of health, economic position or business or trade secrets of a person.

8.

Specific regulations on the implementation of this Law shall be established by decree.

9.

This Law shall enter in to force on 4 March 1991.

The measures which the implementation of this Law entail may be taken prior to its entry into force.

Helsinki, 1 March 1991

Topics: Aliens,