Intersex Human Rights – ISIO Finland
Intersex Human Rights – ISIO Finland is an non-governmental organisation where intersex people, experts and different parties interested in the rights of intersex people, work together to promote human rights and equality.
Intersex Human Rights - ISIO Finland
Intersex Human Rights - ISIO Finland was founded in November 2019. The main purpose of the registered non-governmental organisation is to influence legislation, authorities, decision-makers, and decision-making processes, and to raise awareness in order to realize the human rights of intersex people in Finland. The organisation’s work is based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, other international human rights treaties, and the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Finland. The association operates in accordance with the policies of OII Europe.
Why does ISIO exist?
The right to bodily integrity of intersex people and individuals with innate variations in sex characteristics is being violated. Children and young people are subjected to non-urgent medical procedures (such as surgeries, hormone treatments, and other interventions that modify sex characteristics) without their informed consent. ISIO Finland works to promote the realization of the rights of intersex people and to advocate for legislative changes to ensure the protection of intersex people's right to bodily integrity.
ISIO's goals
A law is needed to prohibit all medical procedures that modify a child's sex characteristics (such as surgeries and hormone treatments) that can be postponed until the child is capable of giving informed consent.
The law must include requirements for reporting and justifying any procedures that alter a child’s sex characteristics. This will ensure the enforcement of the law and verify that non-urgent procedures are not being carried out.
Medical care should be organized through multidisciplinary teams, including not only medical professionals but also experts in psychological and psychosocial support, as well as specialists in the ethical and human rights aspects of care.
Care guidelines for intersex children must be established, taking a holistic approach that aligns with the obligations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These guidelines must prioritize the best interests of the child and ensure the child's right to participate in decisions about their care, in accordance with their age and developmental level.
