Summary:
On 24 June 2025, a communication was brought before the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) against Finland by 33 members of the Muddusjärvi Reindeer Herders’ Cooperative (MPLK), an indigenous Sámi community in northern Finland. The MPLK has practiced nature-based traditional herding techniques in Northern Finland for centuries, and this practice is a core part of Sámi culture.
The communication alleges multiple breaches of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), namely Articles 27 (right to enjoy one’s culture), 26 (non-discrimination), 17 (privacy and family life), and 1 (self-determination). It alleges that the Finnish State violated these rights in light of the impacts of climate change and forestry on Sámi traditional practices, given its failures to support and compensate the herding communities during recent exceptional winters, when the loss of lichen-rich old-growth forests and changes to snow conditions have impacted reindeer food sources.
The communication draws on the HRC’s earlier Daniel Billy and Others v. Australia Views, where it found that Australia had failed to discharge its positive obligation to implement adequate adaptation measures to protect the authors’ home, private life and family, and found a violation of Article 17 ICCPR.
Status of the case:
Pending.
More information:
Case documents in this case have not been made available. A summary of the communication has been provided by the applicants’ counsel.
Suggested citation:
UN Human Rights Committee, Muddusjärvi Reindeer Herders’ Cooperative v. Finland, Communication filed 24 June 2025.
Last updated:
25 August 2026.