E/CN.4/1999/15 page 10 for the World Conference, and, in this regard, the High Commissioner for Human Rights should organize symposia, seminars and worldwide consultations in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. D. Finland 1. General 27. Measures to prevent racism and ethnic discrimination have been central subjects of discussion both internationally and nationally in the latter part of the 1990s. Attention has been paid to racism in the United Nations, the Council of Europe and in Nordic institutions. In 1997, the European Year Against Racism, a European centre to monitor racism and hostility towards aliens was established. Finland is itself creating a national mechanism to monitor racism. 28. The Advisory Board on Migration and Refugee Affairs, currently the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO), operates under the Ministry of Labour as a negotiating body between ministries and NGOs working in the field (see also paras. 41-44 below). From 1995 to 1997 the Board ran a tolerance campaign, the main purpose of which was to finance various kinds of grass-root projects promoting tolerance; altogether, 124 projects received funding. Many of these aimed to increase public knowledge about immigrants' rights, human rights and the value of multiculturalism. Within the framework of the campaign, and through the intermediary of the Advisory Board, Finland participated in a project run by the International Labour Organization concerning discrimination in the workplace. 2. Legislation 29. The Constitution Act of Finland states that basic human rights extend to all persons within the jurisdiction of Finland regardless of nationality. Article 5 of the Constitution states that everyone is equal before the law. No one shall be treated differently by reason of sex, age, origin, language, religion, beliefs, opinion, state of health, disability or other personal reason without extenuating circumstances. Equality between the sexes is promoted in society and at work, particularly with respect to wages and other terms of employment, as further specified by law. Exceptions have, however, been made concerning the rights of non-nationals, for example in connection with their entry into and residence in Finland. 30. Anyone who is unable to acquire for himself the basic necessities for a humane existence has the right to a minimum income and welfare support. Legislation guarantees everyone the right to basic income security, for instance, during periods of unemployment or disability (art. 15 (a)). This means that basic income security is also provided in this kind of situation for people other than Finns or nationals of the European Economic Area who are resident in Finland. 31. The Criminal Code (578/1995) defines discrimination, and specifically discrimination in the workplace, as a crime. Under article 3, paragraph 47, discrimination in the workplace is punishable by a fine or six months in