Two recent UN committee rulings state that Finland violated the Sámi people’s rights by allowing mineral exploration without proper consultation or consent.
Tristan Ahtone reports for Grist.
In short:
- Finland approved mining exploration in Sámi territory without assessing its cultural impact or gaining Sámi consent.
- Sámi sisters led the case, arguing that traditional governance structures were ignored in the consultation process.
- The UN ruled Finland must amend its laws to recognize Sámi collective land rights and fully implement free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
Key quote:
“Sustainability is an empty word if you don’t respect and implement Indigenous rights here in our homelands.”
— Näkkäläjärvi, Sámi leader.
Why this matters:
The Sámi face dual threats from climate change and green energy projects. These rulings emphasize the need to respect Indigenous rights when developing sustainable solutions, as Sámi livelihoods and culture are deeply tied to the land.
Read more: The struggle to preserve North Sami language amid climate change
