📋 Tender Overview
The Government proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and related laws. The amendments concern the criminalisation of female genital mutilation and the preparation thereof through separate provisions, the reform of the provisions on the limitation of the right to prosecute intentional homicide, and the repeal of the legislative provision on infanticide.
According to the proposal, female genital mutilation and the preparation of FGM would be punishable under separate provisions of the Criminal Code. Preparation may mean, for example, taking a woman or girl abroad for mutilation or forcing or persuading her to commit mutilation. In the case of genital mutilation against a girl under the age of 18 and the offence of preparing for it, as far as coercion or persuasion to commit mutilation is concerned, a specific starting point for the limitation period for prosecution would be laid down. In this way, the victim has enough time after reaching the age of majority to investigate the matter and bring the offenders to account. The aim of the proposal is to strengthen the protection of women's and girls' lives and health, as well as their physical integrity and sexual self-determination.
In addition, it is proposed that the provisions of the Criminal Code concerning the limitation of the right to prosecute be amended so that manslaughter would in future be an offence that has not expired. This is to ensure that the provisions on limitation in criminal matters do not prevent the offender from being held liable, even if the crime is not discovered until a very long time has passed.
The proposal also proposes repealing the provision of the Criminal Code on infanticide as unnecessary. The current, less severe penal provision is not justifiable from the point of view of protecting the life of a newborn child, and the general provisions of the Criminal Code on intentional homicide would in future apply to acts corresponding to infanticide. The amendment would emphasise the protection of the life of newborn babies by equating them with other victims of homicide.
At the same time, the amendments required by the above-mentioned amendments to other legislation would be made.
The proposal implements the objectives of the Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government relating to a safe and crisis-resilient rule of law.
The proposed acts are expected to enter into force on 1.1.2025.
