The National action plan on fundamental and human rights was adopted by the Government on 22 March 2012. The action plan was drafted on the basis of the Government Programme of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen. As required by the Parliament, the Government will submit a separate, more comprehensive human rights policy report where the implementation of the set targets will be reviewed.

The action plan translates into concrete terms the duty to guarantee the observance of fundamental rights and human rights imposed on public authorities by the Constitution. This is a cross-administrative action plan that focuses on concrete projects. The action plan is divided into two sections, of which the general part sets the targets for the action plan, specifies the arrangements for its monitoring and evaluation, describes fundamental and human rights structures in general and outlines the importance of monitoring indicators. The more specific section, on the other hand, identifies key development needs, contains general policies for the efficient protection of rights and describes those action plan projects that will be implemented by each Ministry in 2012 and 2013. The plan contains 67 separate projects in the administrative branches of all Ministries.

The action plan was drafted by a working group appointed by the Ministry of Justice, in which were represented all Ministries, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice and the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The proposal was drafted in an open dialogue with a panel of human rights actors consisting of the representatives of NGOs and other human rights actors. A more wide-based hearing was also organized during the drafting process. The action plan will enhance the implementation of fundamental and human rights in Finland.