The government of Finland has repeatedly delayed legislation that would clarify legal rights for the Indigenous Sámi, with conservative critics citing concerns about potential development projects in Sápmi that could cut through traditional lands. Despite support from four of the five parties in Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s coalition government, the nation’s Center party has blocked the bill’s advancement to a full vote, marking the third consecutive government that has delayed recognizing the rights of the Sámi peoples. The delay comes amid fears of development projects that would cut through Sápmi.
The proposed act would have strengthened land use rules around consulting with Sámi communities on activities that take place in their territories, similar to obtaining Free, Prior and Informed Consent. However, state authorities would still have the final say and be able to proceed even if negotiations failed to happen. Many Finns strongly oppose Sámi self-determination rights, and the issue of self-identification has been acknowledged at the international level
