Voting board at the plenary session of Parliament in Helsinki on 28 March 2025. On Friday, Parliament approved the citizens’ initiative “Unbroken – ban conversion therapy” in a plenary session by a vote of 125–49. A total of 25 members were absent from the vote. LEHTIKUVA
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The Finnish Parliament has voted to support a citizens’ initiative calling for a ban on sexual orientation and gender identity conversion therapy. The vote passed 125 to 49 on Friday. Despite the strong parliamentary majority, Justice Minister Leena Meri said her ministry will not advance the proposal during the current government term.
The initiative was launched in August 2021 after gathering more than 50,000 signatures.
It aims to prohibit practices intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These so-called conversion therapies are typically associated with conservative religious communities and have been criticised as harmful pseudoscientific interventions.
According to parliamentary records, the initiative received cross-party support, though members of the Finns Party and some Centre Party MPs opposed it. Among the objectors were Timo Mehtälä, Pekka Aittakummu, Rami Lehtinen and Juho Eerola. Meri, also from the Finns Party, confirmed the justice ministry will not prepare the necessary legislative bill.
The vote followed a delay in the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee last September, after internal documents were leaked to the media. While the committee eventually recommended that MPs consider the initiative, resistance from government parties has slowed progress.
The government, led by Petteri Orpo of the National Coalition Party, had previously signalled reluctance to act on the matter. Four National Coalition MPs on the Legal Affairs Committee said last autumn that opposition from the Finns Party and Christian Democrats made the proposal politically unviable.
Rights advocates expressed disappointment after Friday’s result. Joni Valkila, director of the group Support for Victims of Religions, said the initiative is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate a commitment to human rights.
“There are still religious communities in Finland that promote these therapies,” Valkila said. “This is not just about private belief systems. It is about state responsibility to protect citizens from harmful practices.”
Sexual health educator and LGBTQ+ advocate Joonas Pesonen echoed the concern. “This is not a matter of opinion. Conversion therapy is a form of violence,” he said. “We are talking about something that has led to suicide. Parliament’s vote is clear, and the government has a responsibility to act.”
Justice Minister Meri said the ministry lacks capacity to draft legislation before the end of the term. She later told reporters that the outcome depends on political will, adding: “We can always find time for the things we want to do.”
Critics argue this position undermines the purpose of the citizens’ initiative system, which allows the public to compel Parliament to consider specific legislative changes. Valkila said the government should not ignore a clear public mandate.
In response to Meri’s remarks, Pesonen questioned the government’s broader message on public safety. “The government talks constantly about tackling violence. But this is violence—psychological, spiritual, and sometimes physical,” he said. “Where is the commitment to safety now?”
The Social Affairs and Health Committee, which may also be involved in the legislative process, has not yet scheduled further hearings. If the justice ministry fails to act, the initiative may lapse without legal effect, despite parliamentary support.
No formal bill has been submitted to Parliament. The citizens’ initiative remains without legislative follow-up, and no timeline has been set for further consideration.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
