CRC/C/FIN/CO/4 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr.: General 3 August 2011 Original: English Committee on the Rights of the Child Fifty-seventh session 30 May – 17 June 2011 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention Concluding observations: Finland 1. The Committee considered the fourth periodic report of Finland (CRC/C/FIN/4) at its 1628th and 1629th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.1628–1629), held on 9 June 2011, and adopted at its 1639th meeting, held on 17 June 2011, the following concluding observations. I. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth periodic report as well as the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/FIN/Q/4/Add.1), but regrets that the State party has not submitted yet its periodic report under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict. The Committee notes as positive that the views of relevant stakeholders, such as the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children and non-governmental organizations, were included in the State party report. The Committee appreciates the open and positive dialogue, which enabled a better understanding of the situation of children in the State party. II. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party 3. The Committee welcomes a number of positive developments in the reporting period, including the adoption of legislative measures taken with a view to implementing the Convention, such as: (a) Child Welfare Act (2007/417) in 2008 and amendments thereto in 2010; (b) Act on Measures for Preventing the Distribution of Child Pornography (1068/2006), in 2007; (c) Youth Act (2006/72) in 2006 and amendments thereto in 2011; (d) Act to bring into force the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse in 2011; GE.11-44595