The Committee remained concerned that self-determination and participation in decision-making are not yet fully guaranteed for the Sámi, and that their traditional lands and resources are not adequately protected, particularly from wind power and mining projects carried out without sufficient free, prior and informed consent. It also noted that Sámi traditional livelihoods, including reindeer husbandry, fishing and hunting, remain under increasing pressure from competing land use, restrictions and climate change. The Committee called on Finland to ensure that decisions and projects affecting the Sámi are not approved without their free, prior and informed consent, and to strengthen protection of their lands and traditional livelihoods. It also recommended improving access to Sámi-language education, healthcare and social services.
The Committee noted with concern that racist hate speech had reached alarming levels in public discourse, particularly online, in sports and in the political sphere, including speech by public figures and members of Parliament targeting migrants, Muslims and other groups. It also noted that prosecutions and convictions for hate crimes remained low, and that gaps persisted in the criminal law framework. The Committee called on Finland to reform the Criminal Code, effectively investigate and prosecute racist hate speech, incitement to racial hatred and racially motivated violence, and ensure that racial motivation is properly identified and recorded. It also recommended that racist hate speech by public officials and members of Parliament be promptly and unequivocally condemned.
Honduras
The Committee expressed concern about forced evictions of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples, including allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement. It particularly underscored that usurpation and aggravated usurpation charges are being used to criminalise members of these communities for occupying or defending their lands. It recommended a moratorium on evictions until the recognition, regularisation and collective titling of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran lands, territories and natural resources are completed. It also called for laws on usurpation, aggravated usurpation and preventive evictions to be repealed or aligned with international obligations, so that they are not used to criminalise these communities or violate their rights. The Committee further recommended revising the Law for the Strengthening and Protection of the Agro-industrial Sector to prevent its use as a basis for evictions. It also urged Honduras to develop and adopt, in consultation with these communities, a legislative framework to ensure their free, prior and informed consent regarding any measures affecting their rights, lands, sacred places, and traditional ways of life, particularly regarding extractive, agro-industrial, infrastructure or environmental conservation projects.
The Committee remained concerned about the high number of killings, reprisals, threats and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders, including Indigenous and Afro-Honduran leaders and community members, by both State and non-State actors, including organised crime groups and individuals linked to companies involved in disputes with these communities. It called for thorough, impartial and effective investigations, prosecution and punishment of those responsible, and adequate reparations for victims and their families. It also recommended strengthening the National Protection Mechanism and the Special Prosecutor's Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and ensuring timely implementation of precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
India
The Committee was gravely concerned about reports of large-scale violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens. These included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence. The Committee called on India to conduct prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all such allegations and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The Committee highlighted the increase in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly following the 2017 Home Affairs order and the April 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. It noted that police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling had reportedly resulted in arbitrary arrest and detention without due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment. It was also concerned about deportations and forcible returns of people in need of international protection, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement. The Committee called on India to urgently address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes against Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers, protect their rights, refrain from collective expulsions and ensure access to international protection in line with the principle of non-refoulement.
Kuwait
The Committee underscored the persistent discrimination against migrant workers, particularly domestic workers, who continue to face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse under the kafala sponsorship system. It highlighted reports of physical, psychological and sexual violence, non-payment or delayed payment of wages, and excessive working hours. The Committee urged Kuwait to abolish the kafala system and replace it with a government-regulated residency and work permit system that better protects migrant workers. It also called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of abuse and exploitation, prosecution of perpetrators, and effective remedies for victims.
The Committee expressed serious concern that Bidoon/stateless persons who continue to be classified as illegal residents and face discrimination in law and practice. They encounter major obstacles in obtaining civil documentation and accessing employment, social protection, housing, healthcare and education. They Committee also expressed concern about reports that Kuwaiti nationality had been revoked from a significant number of individuals without adequate, transparent and due process, placing them at serious risk of statelessness and adversely affecting their enjoyment of their rights. The Committee called for effective measures to end this discrimination, resolve their longstanding status in line with international human rights standards, and end their classification as illegal residents. It also recommended that Kuwait ensure prompt and non-discriminatory access to civil documentation and remove barriers to employment, social protection, adequate housing, healthcare and education. The Committee also called for all decisions on nationality revocation to be based on clear, objective grounds, follow an individual assessment with transparent due process safeguards, and not result in statelessness.
The above findings, officially named Concluding Observations, are now available online on the session page.
