Kiri

National report submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21

I Introduction

1. The promotion and protection of human rights is Estonia’s national priority and an integral

part of Estonia’s foreign policy. The government approved the first Human Rights Diplomacy

Action Plan in 2021, outlining related foreign policy activities. Estonia views the United Nations’

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as a valuable mechanism for enhancing the protection of

human rights, increasing transparency and facilitating open and constructive dialogue between

states. Estonia has issued a standing invitation to all UN Special Rapporteurs.

2. Since the last Universal Periodic Review in 2021, Estonia has made efforts to address the

recommendations of the review, particularly with regard to functioning as a democratic, people-

centred state. In light of the current geopolitical context, ensuring national defence and security

is essential. The right to life and safety is a fundamental human right. The state has a duty to

ensure that people feel safe and protected from war and threats; therefore, the proportion of

the budget allocated to defence has increased in recent years. According to a public opinion

survey published by the Estonian Institute of Human Rights in December 2024, 69% of

respondents believed that human rights could only be guaranteed if national security was

ensured.

3. During the 3rd UPR Cycle, Estonia received a total of 274 recommendations, of which 192

were accepted and 82 were noted. In 2023, Estonia submitted a mid-term report in which we

reported the acceptance of 16 additional recommendations. The government has taken the

recommendations into account in the government’s action programme and strategic

development plans. The report reflects the government’s efforts to implement these

recommendations.

4. Estonia acknowledges that several of the challenges identified in the third UPR review still

require concrete and comprehensive solutions, as well as a clearer framework. In the context

of the economic downturn and the increase in the cost of living, Estonia has reviewed the

financing of certain areas, taking into account the constitutional priorities that have led to the

slower implementation or postponement of certain recommendations.

Preparation of the report

5. The report was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, involving all relevant

ministries. It was forwarded to the Government Office, the Chancellor of Justice, the Gender

Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner, and non-governmental organisations for review

and an opinion.

6. The midterm report issued in 2023 provided an overview of the implementation of the

recommendations. A separate national action plan to implement UPR recommendations is not

prepared by Estonia, as this is carried out seamlessly through the country’s overall strategic

planning framework, in accordance with the competences of the relevant authorities. In

Estonia, each ministry is responsible for integrating recommendations into its policy and action

plans.

II Promotion of human rights

National Human Rights Institution

7. Since 2019, the Chancellor of Justice has been performing the functions of the National

Human Rights Institution in Estonia, in accordance with the Paris Principles, and holds ‘A’

status accreditation. The Chancellor of Justice is an independent constitutional institution

under the Estonian Constitution. Since 2019, the budget of the Chancellor of Justice has been

steadily increasing.

8. Estonia took the recommendation to ensure the budgetary independence of constitutional

institutions seriously. In 2024, the State Budget Act was amended to increase the role of the

Parliament in making budgetary decisions for constitutional institutions, in order to prevent a

situation where the government decides on the financing of independent institutions that

balance the executive power and exercise control over its activities. Budget requests from

constitutional institutions are now reviewed by the Finance Committee of the Riigikogu.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

9. Supporting sustainable development and development cooperation is one of the pillars of

the government’s Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030. In Estonia, the Sustainable

Development Goals are implemented on the basis of the long-term strategy ‘Estonia 2035’ and

various sector-specific development plans. Despite the difficult socio-economic circumstances

resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression, Estonia has achieved

good results in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Estonia’s official

development assistance (ODA) amounted to 0.28% of gross national income (GNI) in 2023.

Estonia has made an international commitment to steadily increase the volume of development

cooperation to 0.33% of GNI by 2030.

International human rights treaties

10. Estonia has ratified the most important international human rights treaties. The government

continuously assesses and analyses, and if necessary, decides to accede to human rights

treaties to which Estonia has not yet acceded to, provided that there is political and social

support and the ability to ensure the implementation of the treaty.

11. Estonia acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on

a communications procedure, which entered into force for Estonia on 27 June 2025.

12. Estonia acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms

of Discrimination against Women, which entered into force for Estonia on 17 October 2025.

13. Estonia accedes to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from

Enforced Disappearance. The Riigikogu approved Estonia’s accession to the Convention on

19 November 2025.

14. Although Estonia supports the objectives of the 1960 UNESCO Convention Against

Discrimination in Education, it has decided not to join the current version of the Convention.

However, Estonia is implementing the Convention’s recommendations in education,

particularly with regard to accessibility, inclusion, gender equality, the prevention of bullying

and the integration of minorities. Estonia may reconsider acceding to the Convention if it is

updated.

15. Estonia currently has no plans to join a) the United Nations International Convention on

the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. However,

Estonia considers the protection of migrant workers’ rights and those of their family members

to be important, and these rights are guaranteed by other international agreements, European

Union law, and national legislation. Migrant workers are subject to the same working conditions

as Estonian citizens, and their family members are guaranteed access to a significant number

of services. Estonia complies with and implements the relevant international standards; b) the

ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No 189). Estonia has ratified the main ILO

conventions on the fundamental rights of workers, providing a solid basis for the protection of

labour rights. Estonian labour law does not discriminate on the basis of the employee’s field

and guarantees equal working conditions for all employees, including domestic workers; c) the

Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as

the domestic legal protection system is effective and functional; d) the 1954 UN Convention

relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of

Statelessness, as the legal framework in force in Estonia is sufficient to guarantee the rights

of persons with undetermined citizenship, and it is important for Estonia that the acquisition of

citizenship is voluntary, based on the informed choice of the individual; e) the Convention on

Cluster Munitions. Estonia complies with international humanitarian law, including the

protection of civilians, and the use of weapons in accordance with the principles of international

law.

III Implementation of Recommendations and Development in the Field of Human

Rights

Equal opportunities, gender equality and anti-discrimination measures

16. The government is committed to promoting gender equality and equal opportunities.

Several initiatives have been launched to raise awareness of gender equality and to promote

understanding and tolerance of different cultures, religions and sexual orientations within

society.

17. The core document underpinning Estonia’s long-term strategic policy planning is ‘Estonia

2035’, which considers the European Union’s policies and international commitments, and is

supplemented by various national development plans. The strategic objectives of equality

policy are reflected in the Welfare Development Plan 2023–2030, alongside objectives and

measures designed to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for minorities, and to

reduce inequalities in society. The concrete measures launched will contribute to narrowing

the gender pay gap and reducing gender segregation in education and the labour market,

foster attitudes in society that uphold and value gender equality, and support the valuing and

promotion of diversity within organisations and mainstreaming the principle of equal treatment

and the objective of equal opportunities across all sectoral policies.

18. To promote general awareness of equal treatment, gender equality, and equal

opportunities and accessibility, officials have been able to participate in e-training sessions

since 2023.

19. Estonia nominates national candidates for elections to international organisations and UN

treaty bodies in accordance with the principles of openness, transparency, impartiality, and

sectoral competence. The selection process promotes diversity and inclusion, with an

emphasis on achieving gender balance.

20. The Estonian government shall persist in its efforts to guarantee protection of all residents

of Estonia from discrimination. Estonia’s legal framework for preventing and combating

discrimination is grounded in international human rights standards and effectively enforced

through domestic mechanisms. The Constitution forbids all types of discrimination. The Equal

Treatment Act forbids direct and indirect discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity,

race or colour, religion or belief, disability and sexual orientation particularly within the

workplace, and more widely on some of these grounds. The prohibition of discrimination based

on gender or gender identity is established in the Gender Equality Act.

21. In 2022, an amendment to the Media Services Act entered into force, stipulating that upon

provision of media services it is prohibited to incite hatred, violence, or discrimination on the

basis of any group identity, including nationality, gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin,

genetic characteristics, language, religion, political beliefs, belonging to a national minority,

financial status, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, where it poses a threat to the life,

health or property of the person, undermines law-abiding behaviour or incites for violation of

law.

22. Estonia has set the goal of enhancing the protection of individuals against discrimination

across all areas of social life, encompassing not only gender, but also other protected

characteristics such as nationality, race, colour, religious and other beliefs, age, disability, and

sexual orientation. To this end, an initial version of the draft Gender Equality and Equal

Opportunities Act was finalised in 2024. Following the change of government in July 2024, the

proceedings regarding the draft law were halted; however, the government has not abandoned

its stated goal, and work on the draft remains ongoing.

23. An innovative collaborative initiative, EquiTech, was launched in 2024 to evaluate the

extent to which Estonia has considered the necessity of ensuring gender equality, equal

treatment of vulnerable groups, and the protection of fundamental rights in the decisions made

by automated decision-making systems, as well as to prevent discrimination in the

development of state services based on artificial intelligence. The long-term aim of the

EquiTech project is to ensure that the AI solutions and other algoritm-driven processes used

by the public sector remain fair and non-discriminatory.

24. Since 2005, the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner, an independent and

impartial expert, has been monitoring compliance with the requirements of the Gender Equality

Act and the Equal Treatment Act within both the public and private sectors. In 2025, legislative

amendments were drafted to transpose the EU Equality Bodies Directives with an aim to

expand the authority of the Equality Commissioner and enhance the independence of this

institution.

25. Since 2019, Estonia has implemented the Strategic Partnership approach, providing three-

year financing through open calls for proposals to civil society organisations dedicated to

advancing equal opportunities for minority groups and promoting gender equality.

LGBTIQ rights

26. Estonia has moved towards a more equal society in recent years, establishing legal

provisions to ensure equal rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ individuals.

27. In 2024, amendments to the Family Act entered into force, permitting two adults to marry

irrespective of their gender. Also the implementing acts of the Registered Partnership Act

entered into force in 2024, enabling the complete exercise of the rights and obligations

established under the Act.

28. As of March 2024, homosexual and bisexual men are permitted to donate blood on equal

terms with heterosexual donors.

29. Estonia has also taken an important step in supporting gender transition by publishing a

guide on hormone therapy for gender transition in 2023, in accordance with WPATH’s

international recommendations.

30. In 2024, an e-course on LGBTIQ health for health professionals was introduced to enhance

awareness among medical professionals regarding the unique healthcare requirements of

LGBTIQ individuals.

31. In 2025, the first Principles and Action Plan for promotion of LGBTIQ equality 2025–2030

were adopted. The Action Plan focuses on four key areas: security, education, health, and

professional life. As a separate group, the focus is on the well-being of trans people in different

areas of life.

32. To promote knowledge-based policy-making, questions about sexual orientation and

gender identity were added to the Estonian social survey in 2025. The aim was to gain an

understanding of the experiences and needs of different people, including minority groups’

coping mechanisms, social exclusion and inequality compared with the experiences of the

general population. This study will enable the corresponding policy measures to be assessed

and targeted more effectively.

Measures to reduce gender segregation in education and the labour market

33. The government will continue to work to minimise the impact of gender stereotypes on

educational choices and on the labour market as a whole.

34. Several research projects were conducted between 2021–2024, including ‘Glass walls and

glass ceiling in Estonian ICT’ (2021), ‘Use of nudging methods to support stereotype-free

career choices and working conditions’ (2022), and ‘Causes of the low proportion of men

among students and staff in education, health and welfare’ (2024). These studies resulted in

policy recommendations aimed at reducing gender segregation and supporting non-

stereotypical career choices, which will be implemented from 2023 to 2029. The main focus

will be on breaking gender stereotypes, particularly in the STEM and EHW sectors, and on

increasing women’s participation in leadership positions.

35. Although women account for 40.1% of all managers in Estonia, they are less likely to reach

top management positions. While women account for 40% of senior managers in the civil

service, they are modestly represented on the boards of many organisations with a significant

economic and societal impact. The government has taken steps to improve gender balance in

governance. In 2025, amendments were approved which stipulate that, in the case of listed

companies, at least 40% of supervisory board members or at least 33% of the members of the

management board and supervisory board must be of the under-represented sex. Also in 2025,

gender balance was included as a criterion in the selection policy for board members of state-

owned enterprises. In 2025, the 18-month campaign ‘Breaking Gender Stereotypes in

Decision-Making and Governance’ began. This campaign aims to break down gender

stereotypes that prevent women from reaching leadership positions in business and politics,

and to highlight the societal benefits of gender balance.

36. A number of initiatives have been launched to raise awareness in society. One such

example is the annual ‘Girls Take Over’ event, which gives girls the opportunity to shadow

women in leadership positions.

Measures for reducing the pay gap

37. Estonia has taken significant steps to reduce the gender pay gap. Over the past decade,

the gender pay gap in Estonia has decreased by 10 percentage points, standing at 13.2% in

2024. This trend is the result of awareness-raising campaigns, measures to reduce gender

segregation, and more transparent wage-setting practices.

38. The 2019–2022 Gender Pay Gap Survey revealed that the main causes of the pay gap

relate to the nature of work, the structure of the labour market, and organisational practices.

Prevailing beliefs and attitudes also play an important role in perpetuating the pay gap.

39. Following the study, recommendations and (digital) solutions were developed to reduce

the pay gap, thereby tackling gender inequality and poverty among women and children. One

such solution is the digital tool ‘Pay Mirror’, which was launched in 2024 and aims to help

employers analyse the gender pay gap in their companies and support the development of fair

pay systems.

40. The government’s efforts to achieve wage equality are ongoing. Estonia has committed to

transpose the European Union’s Pay Transparency Directive, which aims to ensure that

women and men receive equal pay for work of equal value, by the summer of 2026.

Measures against violence, including domestic violence

41. Although the registration of cases of domestic violence has decreased in all age groups

and regions in recent years, violence continues to be a problem in Estonia. The government

has implemented various measures to prevent violence and protect victims, with a special

emphasis on preventing and reducing domestic and gender-based violence. These measures

are based on the long-term strategies ‘Estonia 2035’ and ‘Fundamentals of Criminal Policy

2030’. The issue of violence prevention is high on the agenda in a number of strategy papers.

42. The Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan 2024–2027 focuses on strengthening

violence prevention, improving responses to cases of domestic violence, and developing

services for victims and perpetrators. Recommendations from the Council of Europe’s Istanbul

Convention Monitoring Commission (GREVIO) evaluation report were considered when

preparing the Action Plan, with a stronger emphasis placed on training of professionals and

focusing on vulnerable target groups.

43. The 2021–2025 Violence Prevention Agreement encompasses activities aimed at

preventing and combatting various forms of violence, with a specific emphasis on violence

against children and older people, as well as mental and cyber violence. In the case of older

people, national violence prevention policy has primarily aimed to raise public awareness of

violence against this demographic.

44. Estonia has started to transpose the European Union directive on combating violence

against women and domestic violence, which came into force in 2024. In this context, Estonia

has committed to criminalising female genital mutilation, forced marriage, non-consensual

sharing of intimate images, cyber stalking, cyber harassment, and online incitement to hatred

or violence by 2027 at the latest.

45. The Penal Code will also be amended to align the legislation with the Istanbul Convention.

Under the draft Consent Law, sexual intercourse or other sexual acts without consent will be

punishable.

46. Estonia has taken the recommendations on preventing and combating violence against

children very seriously. Legislative amendments that entered into force in 2022 enhanced the

protection for children in cases of sexual abuse. The age limit for sexual self-determination

increased from 14 to 16 years, the penalties for the sexual exploitation of a child were

increased, and the exceptional marriage age for minors was abolished, so that only adults and

persons with legal capacity can marry in Estonia.

47. In 2023, the new Victim Support Act entered into force, significantly improving access to

support for victims of violence, crime or crisis and strengthening their rights. Victims of

domestic and sexual violence have the right to receive mental healthcare to support their

recovery from trauma, even if no criminal proceedings have been initiated. Witnesses in

criminal proceedings are also entitled to receive mental health care on the same grounds as

the victim.

48. The awareness of authorities responding to incidents of violence, in particular the police

and rescue workers, has increased significantly. The focus has shifted towards the activities

of the police, the prosecutor’s office, victim support services and the local government in

identifying, responding to and processing incidents.

49. To better recognise cases of domestic violence and support victims more effectively, e-

learning courses have been created, targeting a wide range of professionals (including law

enforcement) and the wider public. Special training has been developed for professionals

working with children, focusing on recognising violence and intervention skills. Training on

cyberviolence is increasingly being provided to women’s support centres and victim support

staff.

50. Public campaigns have made society more aware of violence-related issues.

51. Reducing crimes related to domestic violence is a policy priority for the police and cases

are processed in an average of 26 days. However, many cases do not reach the police

because victims are either afraid or unaware of how to seek help. This issue continues to

require systemic attention and targeted policies. To strengthen the mechanisms for

implementing the prohibition on stay, the Government has initiated amendments to the Law

Enforcement Act.

Combating of human trafficking, including the implementation of a victim-centred

approach

52. In line with international standards, the government has significantly strengthened its anti-

trafficking measures, building on the 2021-2025 Violence Prevention Agreement, which

includes measures to prevent and combat violent crimes and addresses violence against,

among others, women, children and the elderly. Prevention, investigation and victim support

have received the most attention.

53. Amendments to the Victim Support Act, which entered into force in 2023, have clarified the

various services and rules for providing services to victims. The Child Protection Act provides

specialised and safe assistance to minor victims through the child-friendly Barnahus

(Children’s House) centres. Since July 2023, child protection groups having been working

within police prefectures to investigate sexual offences against children. Sexual crimes against

minors have been among the government’s anti-crime priorities since 2005.

54. The government has introduced a number of measures to prevent labour exploitation.

Amendments to the Taxation Act, which entered into force in 2023, enable the monitoring of

the number of undocumented foreign employees working on construction sites, their working

hours, and the wages paid. They also introduce an obligation for construction companies to

register their employees in the e-services environment of the Tax and Customs Board, which

contributes to the more efficient detection of cases of human trafficking.

55. Estonia will transpose the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on

strengthening the protection of victims of human trafficking by 15 July 2026.

56. Between 2021 and 2024, 179 crimes related to human trafficking were recorded, 27 court

decisions were issued, and 27 persons and three legal persons were punished. Penalties

imposed for human trafficking crimes are usually carried out under probation supervision, but

short-term prison sentences ranging from six months to one year are also imposed.

57. There is a strong emphasis on training for public sector professionals, including police

officers, prosecutors, social workers, victim support workers and organisations working with

young people. The training of officials is continuously improved, including through international

training.

58. Estonia plays an active role in international and regional initiatives aimed at preventing and

combatting cross-border human trafficking. It served as the head of the Council of the Baltic

Sea States Anti-Trafficking Working Group 2024–2025 and is an active member of the

European Union Network of National Coordinators and Rapporteurs on Human trafficking. In

2024, Estonia organised a best practice workshop to enhance regional cooperation, focusing

on the experiences of the Baltic Sea, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia regions in preventing

human trafficking. All training on human trafficking emphasise the importance of a victim-

friendly approach.

59. The government aims to increase the capacity of law enforcement agencies and other key

agencies to prevent human trafficking, identify cases, and support victims.

Fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies

60. Estonia has made serious efforts to minimise the threat posed by the spread of terrorism

and extremist ideologies.

61. In Estonia, acts of terrorism are defined in § 237 of the Penal Code.

62. Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure in 2022

prohibited the public display of symbols relating to acts of aggression, genocide, crimes against

humanity or war crimes. Activities supporting or justifying these symbols were also prohibited.

63. In 2024, an amendment to the Information Society Services Act entered into force, aligning

Estonian law with the European Union regulation aimed at combating the dissemination of

terrorist content online.

64. An action plan for preventing radicalization is being composed, including an intervention

model to support people in moving away from extremism and deradicalizing.

65. Estonia stresses the importance of commemorating the victims of the crimes of Nazism

and communism. Such regimes have not disappeared from the world, and these crimes and

victims must be remembered to prevent a repetition of the horrors of the past. It is important

to raise public awareness of the timeless crimes against human rights committed by totalitarian

regimes. To this end, Estonia will open an international memorial museum for the victims of

communism in 2026.

Fight against racism

66. Estonia has incorporated measures to combat racism and racial discrimination into several

national strategies and action plans. These include the Welfare Development Plan 2023–2030,

which focuses on general equality policies, the Culture Development Plan 2021–2030, which

aims to strengthen cultural diversity and ensure equal access to culture; the Cohesive Estonia

Strategy 2021–2030, which aims to increase understanding between different communities

and support social cohesion, integration, and a sense of belonging; the Internal Security

Strategy 2020–2030, which addresses national security, the prevention of violence and

terrorism, migration, and asylum policies; and the Education Strategy 2021–2035, which

focuses on the promotion of a common cultural and value space.

67. In 2024, the Equality Commissioner conducted a study ‘Racial Discrimination in Estonia’.

The survey results showed that racial discrimination is often un-acknowledged, highlighting the

need to raise general awareness of its various forms and strengthen protection mechanisms.

68. In preventing and combating racism, the government focuses on supporting the proper

implementation of the European Union’s Anti-racism Action Plan (2020-2025) and Anti-racism

Strategy (2026-2030), helping to combat both visible and hidden racism and discrimination.

Hate speech

69. Estonia acknowledges that the current provision on incitement of hatred (§ 151) in the

Penal Code is insufficient to ensure effective protection against hate speech. Discussions are

ongoing to align the penal provisions on hate speech with international standards and the 2008

EU Framework Decision (2008/913/JHA) on combating certain forms and expressions of

racism and xenophobia through criminal law

70. A draft Act concerning incitment of hatred is being coordinated, which takes into account

both the 2023 European Union regulation and the recommendations made by the UN treaty

bodies. It provides for the criminalisation of public incitement to hatred, violence, or

discrimination against a group of people or an individual on the basis of nationality, race,

colour, sex, disability, language, origin, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs or financial

or social status.

Measures to strengthen social cohesion

71. Social cohesion is promoted through a range of policies and programmes that focus on

strengthening trust and cooperation between residents, and creating equal opportunities.

Integration policies must respect the principle that supporting the preservation of the rights,

freedoms, language and culture of persons belonging to minority groups is an integral part of

international human rights protection.

72. Integration policy is implemented on the basis of the Cohesive Estonia Strategy 2030.

Various measures support the active participation of people with different linguistic and cultural

backgrounds in society, including access to the labour market.

73. Since 2023, local governments have been supported to strengthen their capacity to take

into account the needs of people whose mother tongue is not Estonian when providing

integration services. Activities are planned until 2029 with a total budget of EUR 5,859,037.

74. The government is paying special attention to Ida-Viru County, where 81.5% of people

were non-native speakers according to the 2021 census. There is a strong emphasis on local

solutions and community-level engagement to support cultural integration through language

learning, educational support, cultural participation, and access to the labour market.

75. One of the priorities of Estonian integration policy is to improve the Estonian language skills

of non-native speakers and create opportunities for active language use. New initiatives

consistently promote Estonian language learning and facilitate the integration of minorities into

society. As a result of the government’s targeted policy, the proportion of people of other

nationalities with active Estonian language proficiency has steadily increased, reaching 46%

in 2025, while the proportion of people who do not speak the language at all has fallen to 4%.

76. To promote language learning and integration, the Estonian Language House, run by the

Integration Foundation, has opened in two Estonian cities, Tallinn and Narva. It organises free

Estonian language courses and activities nationwide. There are year-round cultural and club

activities that support learners according to their proficiency level.

77. According to the Estonian Integration Monitoring, integration into Estonian society has

been a consistent and positive process. Among other things, differences in employment

opportunities for Estonians, non-native speakers, and new immigrants have decreased.

According to the 2023 integration monitoring report, the Russian-speaking population does not

form a single Russian-speaking community, but is divided into smaller groups. A total of 58%

of the non-Estonian-speaking population have a positive attitude towards the state and are

integrated.

Roma

78. According to the 2021 census, there are 676 Roma living in Estonia, i.e. 0.05% of the

population.

79. The government continues to promote the integration of Roma community by supporting

their equal opportunities and social inclusion. One of the key challenges in Roma integration

is the low employment rate among Roma. Therefore, a project to increase the employment of

Roma will be carried out in 2025–2027 with a total budget of EUR 300,000. A mentoring service

will be implemented for Roma children and young people to support their education and fund

Roma cultural and language learning initiatives.

Supporting the cultural identity of national minorities

80. One of the objectives of Estonia’s cultural policy is to contribute to the integration of national

minorities into Estonian society and cultural space, while promoting the preservation,

presentation and celebration of national minority cultures. State support for national minority

umbrella organisations has steadily increased, with operating support provided to them seeing

a 23% increase from 2021 to 2025. In total, cultural associations of national minorities receive

more than EUR 900,000 in funding per year.

81. The government supports Estonian media outlets to ensure that information is published

in different languages. Foreign language TV channels are widely available via cable and digital

distribution throughout Estonia.

82. Between 2022 and 2024, the government supported the creation of Russian-language

journalistic content by four Estonian private media channels with a total of EUR 4.3 million,

which was intended to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Access to labour market services for people from other linguistic and cultural

backgrounds

83. The government has worked effectively to improve access to labour market services for

people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This has involved supporting the

recruitment of non-Estonian-speaking employees in state and local government institutions, as

well as helping employers to cope with multicultural and multilingual environments.

84. A serious challenge remains the inclusion of women whose mother tongue is not Estonian

into the labour market. Although their employment figures have improved in recent years,

differences remain. To include women whose mother tongue is not Estonian in the labour

market, Estonia is implementing a programme aimed at improving the livelihood of 40–64-

year-old women in the Ida-Viru region who remain outside the labour market and increasing

social well-being and cohesion The programme’s budget is EUR 800,000.

Health system

85. The development of the health system to ensure equal access to quality health services

for all will continue. Important reforms to the organisation of health services have been

launched. Measures have been implemented to strengthen primary care, improve access to

healthcare, support mental health and integrate health and social care services.

86. The National Health Plan 2020–2030, which was approved in 2021, focuses on developing

a people-centred health system and shifting the focus of healthcare towards prevention and

promoting physical, mental and social well-being.

87. In 2025, a new Public Health Act entered into force with the aim of establishing conditions

to extend life expectancy and the remaining number of healthy life years of the population,

prevent and mitigate undesirable health effects, and promote greater health equality among

the population, thereby enhancing the overall health of the population.

88. In the coming years, the government will focus on ensuring the sustainability of healthcare

financing, expanding insurance coverage, reducing waiting lists, and improving service

availability across regions. This will involve systematically reorganising services based on the

principles of primary and specialised medical care and smart solutions.

Mental health

89. The mental health of the Estonian people has been affected by the pandemic, the war, the

economic situation, and a decrease in stigma. Improving access to mental health services is a

key priority action in the government coalition agreement.

90. In 2021, the government approved the ‘Green Paper on Mental Health’, which highlights

challenges in this area and proposes further systemic developments. This resulted in the

creation of the Mental Health Action Plan 2023–2026, which addresses all areas of mental

health, including promotion, prevention, community-based support, the development and

delivery of services, and crisis preparedness. Separate actions are also planned to reduce

stigma and discrimination related to mental health.

91. Preventive measures have been key in addressing mental health issues in children and

young people. In 2024, recommendations were developed in inter-ministerial cooperation to

take care of the mental health of children and young people, the implementation of which will

be monitored.

92. In 2024, the National Action Plan on Suicide Prevention 2025–2028 was finalised with the

aim of reducing the number of suicides to zero.

Measures to improve social protection

93. Estonia continues its efforts to strengthen its social protection system and raise the

standard of living. In 2021, it implemented the recommendation to strengthen the pension

system, completing the first and second pillar pension reforms. These reforms aimed to

increase people’s freedom of choice and give them more control over their pension assets,

enabling them to make informed and flexible choices to secure their future. The reform

changed the retirement age. From 2027 onwards, it will depend on the average life expectancy.

As life expectancy increases, so will the retirement age. This will ensure that the pension

system aligns with demographic changes, enabling equivalent pensions to those of today to

be paid in the future, even as the population declines and will not be based solely on forecasts

and political agreements.

Measures to reduce poverty

94. Reducing poverty and exclusion has been a long-term goal of Estonian governments.

Estonia has set a target of reducing the absolute poverty rate to 2.2% by 2030 and has

introduced measures to reduce relative poverty and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable

groups. As noted in the UPR mid-term report, changes have been made to the social benefits

system to alleviate poverty. The single-parent allowance increased in 2022, the state

maintenance allowance doubled in 2025, and the rates of family benefits have been increased.

The regular indexation of pensions has also continued.

95. Amendments adopted in 2022 improved the situation of subsistence benefit recipients and

the unemployed. The Social Welfare Act established an obligation to provide support services

to families in need, including debt counselling. It also established an obligation to take into

account the amounts withheld in enforcement proceedings upon payment of a subsistence

benefit. In autumn 2025, the government passed the State Budget Act, deciding to raise the

subsistence benefit threshold in line with the increase in the cost of living in subsequent years.

96. In 2023, a nationwide system of food aid cards was launched, where a person can choose

which food products they want to buy with the support. This innovation made assistance to the

most vulnerable members of society more flexible and dignified.

97. In September 2025, the government approved amendments to the Social Welfare Act with

the aim of modernising the subsistence benefit system. Once the amendments enter into force,

the application process will be simplified and the system will become fairer, reducing the

bureaucratic burden. The aim is to provide improved support to families with children,

encourage education and employment, and ensure that support reaches those who need it

most.

98. An on-going study is investigating ways to develop a more effective, evidence-based

poverty reduction and social assistance system, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

Rights of the child

99. The government’s work focuses on the well-being of children and families, and on the

development of social security and support services. The government’s overarching goal is to

ensure that Estonia is a good place to start a family and raise children.

100. The Estonian child protection system is being amended in its entirety and is based on the

Convention on the Rights of the Child, one of the most important foundational documents. The

government has actively implemented the UPR review’s recommendations on child welfare.

Several legislative amendments have entered into force with the aim of early detection of

children in need, enhancing cooperation between different sectors, and ensuring a sustainable

support system for foster, guardian, and adoptive families. Children’s rights and well-being are

firmly embedded in the national strategies ‘Estonia 2035’ and ‘The Welfare Development Plan

2023–2030’, which prioritise prevention, child-centred support services, and supporting

families.

101. The Child Protection Act stipulates that the best interests of the child must be the primary

consideration in all actions concerning children. The Child Protection Act prohibits child abuse

and violence against children, including corporal punishment, both at home and in school.

102. Between 2020–2022, an analysis of the quality and processes of child protection work

was carried out in Estonia. As a result, a new case management model called ‘Safety signs’ is

being implemented in local governments from 2025 to 2027. The model is centred on the

involvement of children and families as partners, with the aim of creating solutions that

strengthen the capabilities of families.

103. The 2022 amendment to the Child Protection Act established the legal framework for

supporting sexually abused children through the Children’s House service, which is available

in four regions.

104. The Victim Support Act, which entered into force in 2023, established the right of a child

who has been sexually abused to receive state-funded mental healthcare to support their

recovery from trauma, regardless of whether criminal proceedings have been initiated in

relation to the incident, until such time as the need for treatment ceases to exist.

105. Following the 2025 amendment to the Child Protection Act, Lasteabi has the right to

provide call recordings to the police, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the court upon request, for

use as evidence in offence proceedings, to ascertain the child’s need for assistance, and to

improve the quality of assistance provided.

106. There is a strong focus on promoting the safe and informed use of the Internet and digital

media among children and young people, with the aim of preventing them from becoming

victims of online bullying and violence. Safer Internet Days are organised for children and

young people, and beginning in 2024, Safer Internet Days for Preschoolers (DigiRapid) are

being organised, where children learn to navigate the Internet more safely through engaging

activities. A special ‘Smartly Online’ programme has been set up for school-age children.

107. Estonia continues to develop a child-friendly justice system. When implementing this

recommendation, a strong emphasis has been placed on training legal practitioners and

professionals to work with offender minors and young people. One of the most important goals

for the coming years is to prevent offences committed by children and young people, and to

provide those who have committed offences with the necessary support to enable them to

continue leading law-abiding lives.

108. In connection with Estonia’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, a number of activities have been initiated,

including child-friendly media coverage on relevant topics for the target group.

Rights of disabled persons

109 In accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Estonia

will continue to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. Since the previous UPR review,

significant progress has been made in terms of accessibility and the availability of assistive

devices. Benefits and the possibility of flexible working for individuals on long-term incapacity

for work have also improved, with the aim of preventing permanent incapacity for work and

exclusion from the labour market.

110. The Product and Service Accessibility Act, which entered into force in 2025, helps to

ensure that various services and products are available to people with special needs. Sign

language interpretation or subtitles are provided at major cultural events.

111. In addition to the state, advocacy organisations promote accessibility. Reform of the

Estonian Paralympic Committee, an umbrella organisation that promotes sports for people with

special needs, is underway. Work is ongoing to improve accessibility.

112. Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and other Acts, adopted in 2022, have simplified

administration and ensured higher-quality, faster, and more comprehensive welfare assistance

for people with disabilities. Local authorities automatically receive information on people with

a degree of disability, enabling them to proactively provide them with services. Disability

benefits can be granted indefinitely to old-age pensioners.

113. As of September 2025, state-sponsored aids can be purchased without a prior

assessment of the degree of disability or reduced work ability being carried out. Children

receive aids at a 90% discount, while people of working age will receive them according to the

aids regulation list. Most aids will be available at a 90% discount.

114. Amendments to the Social Benefits for Disabled Persons Act, which entered into force in

June 2025, increased benefits for children with severe and profound disabilities and for

working-age persons with profound disabilities. Allowances for working-age persons with

severe disabilities are no longer dependent on the type of disability and have been harmonised.

115. Work has begun on enabling the 112 emergency service to use video-calls and/or real-

time text. This will give persons with disabilities, including those with hearing or visual

impairments, better access to life-saving services. The live text service will be deployed in April

2026.

116. In Estonia, all children have the right and opportunity to acquire an education, regardless

of disability. The education system is based on the principle of inclusive education, whereby

education must be equally accessible to all children, including those with severe disabilities,

according to their abilities and needs. Inclusive education assumes that all children, regardless

of their special needs, will generally attend school in their home county and receive the

necessary support they need thanks to adaptations.

117. The rehabilitation system is being restructured to ensure that people receive needs-

based, timely and integrated services in the areas of social care, health, employment and

education.

118. The guardianship system needs to be modernised in order to respond more effectively to

people’s needs, reduce stigmatisation, and comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities. The aim is to strengthen the protection of the rights of persons with

restricted active legal capacity and increase their opportunities to participate in society.

119. Persons with reduced work ability receive the work ability allowance, which is indexed on

1 April each year. The Unemployment Insurance Fund provides support services to help

people with reduced work ability stay in the labour market.

Persons of unspecified nationality

120. Estonia’s citizenship policy is in accordance with international law, including the UN

conventions of 1954 and 1961.

121. The Government has encouraged persons with undetermined citizenship to apply for

Estonian citizenship through various measures. A number of legislative amendments have

been adopted to simplify naturalisation procedures, particularly for children and the elderly,

and to increase the interest of stateless persons in applying for Estonian citizenship. The

current coalition agreement stipulates that alien’s passports will no longer be issued to foreign

children born in Estonia. The corresponding legislative amendment is subject to approval.

122. Reducing the number of people with undetermined citizenship and promoting Estonian

citizenship lie at the heart of Estonia’s integration policy. The number of people with

undetermined citizenship has decreased by 30,000 in the last 10 years (2015–2025).

According to the Population Register, as of 1 January 2026, there are 58,432 people with

undetermined citizenship in Estonia, and this figure is steadily decreasing.

123. Foreign national legally residing in Estonia, including those with undetermined citizenship,

may acquire Estonian citizenship by naturalisation.

124. Applicants for Estonian citizenship can study the Estonian language free of charge and

receive compensation if they have taken an unpaid study leave from work to study the

language. Students are approached personally, taking into account their level of language

proficiency and their preferences regarding the form, location, and time of study.

125. Article 9 of the Constitution ensures that the rights, freedoms and obligations of Estonian

citizens, foreign citizens, and stateless persons staying in Estonia are equal. Persons of

undetermined nationality have the same rights as all other third-country nationals, including

the right to healthcare, education, social benefits and employment. They have identity

documents and can move freely, open a bank account and own real estate.

126 In 2024, the Institute of Baltic Studies conducted a survey of residents with undefined

citizenship regarding their attitudes towards Estonian citizenship. The results confirm that

these residents have a strong social and cultural connection with Estonia. The vast majority of

people with undetermined citizenship (65%) said they were ready to apply for Estonian

citizenship, with 15% thinking it would happen within the next year and 28% within the next

two to five years.

127. On 26 March 2025, the Riigikogu passed an Act amending the Constitution of Estonia,

according to which the right to vote of third-country nationals residing in Estonia and, as of

2029, also stateless persons was revoked in local elections. The transitional period provided

for in the Act gives stateless persons sufficient time to apply for Estonian citizenship and to

participate in future elections as Estonian citizens.

Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons

128. Estonia fulfils all obligations arising from the European Union asylum acquis and

international agreements, including the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol concerning the

protection of applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection. All applicants for

international protection are guaranteed access to the international protection procedure and

the guarantees established by the EU asylum acquis.

129. Beneficiaries of international protection shall be entitled to social protection under the

same conditions as permanent residents, including state pensions, family benefits, labour

market benefits, social benefits and health benefits. Everyone, including migrants, has access

to emergency medical care in the event of serious or life-threatening health problems. Estonia

ensures that refugees who have been granted temporary protection and residence permits

have access to health insurance on the same basis as other residents of Estonia. All childhood

and at-risk vaccinations (e.g. influenza) are carried out in accordance with Estonia’s national

immunisation plan. Every child with refugee status or a temporary residence permit has an

automatic right to education.

130. The living conditions in the reception centres correspond to the standard of living in

Estonia. The assessment and needs-based development of living conditions and services is

an on-going process.

131. Several support services have been developed for newly arrived immigrants and the

proactive government service ‘Settling in Estonia’ is provided to support the early integration

of new immigrants arriving and living in Estonia.

132. To support the early integration of aliens who are settling in Estonia and to acquire the

necessary knowledge and skills, those who have lived in Estonia for up to five years are offered

a free adaptation programme, which includes adaptation training, thematic training and basic

language training.

133. According to the Estonian Integration Monitoring 2023, the majority of newly arrived

immigrants (79%) consider their quality of life in Estonia to be better than in their country of

origin. This assessment covers not only economic aspects, but also a safe and stable living

environment and the existence of clean natural surroundings.

134. Since the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the target group

of new immigrants has grown significantly due to Ukrainian war refugees, creating serious

challenges in terms of policy-making and the the provision of services. As of 1 January 2025,

56,747 people have applied for temporary protection status. Estonia has provided

comprehensive support to Ukrainian war refugees who have arrived in Estonia, offering both

social benefits and labour market measures. As of 2023, young people fleeing the war in

Ukraine will receive support to help them remain connected to their language and culture. This

is important for both the adaptation of Ukrainian youth in Estonia and for their eventual return

to Ukraine.

Rights of Prisoners

135. In Estonia, torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment are strictly prohibited under the Constitution and the Criminal Code. Estonia is a

party to the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, as well as the relevant

Council of Europe agreement, and fulfils the obligations arising therefrom. There have been

no reported cases of torture or ill-treatment in Estonian prisons, and all allegations of ill-

treatment are investigated by independent authorities. The application of disciplinary measures

to detainees must be in accordance with the European Prison Rules and the Mandela Rules.

Estonia continues to prioritise the training of officials and the implementation of dynamic

security principles to facilitate the reintegration of prisoners into society.

136. The debate on the electoral rights of prisoners continues, but as there is currently no

consensus on this issue, no legislative changes are currently planned.

Right to education

137. The Estonian education system underwent significant changes during 2021–2025.

Despite the COVID pandemic, fundamental education policy values, such as accessibility,

equality and quality, have not been compromised. Children and young people are guaranteed

opportunities for personal fulfilment, regardless of their socio-economic or national

background. According to PISA surveys, the results of Estonian students have been among

the highest in the world, especially in mathematics, natural sciences and creative thinking.

138. In December 2022, the Riigikogu passed the necessary legislation for the transition to

Estonian-language education. The transition to Estonian-language studies began in ECEC

institutions and 1st and 4th grades on 1 September 2024. The transition process will continue

until 2030. The aim of the transition to Estonian-language learning is to provide all children,

regardless of their mother tongue, the opportunity to acquire high-quality education in

Estonian. This benefits children and young people themselves, as learning in Estonian helps

them integrate into Estonia’s cultural and value space, broadening their choices while

preserving their national identity. A common Estonian language education space ensures

equal opportunities for all children and young people to progress to the next level of education

and find suitable employment in the future. The transition to Estonian language learning is a

long-term process, carried out in accordance with the Council of Europe Framework

Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), the European Charter for

Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML), as well as the international obligations assumed by

Estonia and international law. In the transition to Estonian-language learning, attention is paid

to supporting the professional development of educators and support specialists. Level work

will be carried out to monitor the transition, the results of which will allow for flexible and tailor-

made adaptation of the measures and provide targeted support to educational institutions.

139. The Estonian Integration Monitoring shows population support for the reform: 87% of all

respondents and 70% of respondents from other nationalities assessed the transition to

Estonian-language education favorably. Respondents found that the transition to Estonian-

language education supports the integration of Russian-speaking youth into the Estonian-

language cultural space and the labour market.

140. In 2023, the national curricula for basic and upper secondary schools were updated to

increase schools’ autonomy in designing learning content and taking a learner-centred

approach. Teaching became more learner-centred, taking into account developments in

society and on the labour market. Core values in the national curriculum derive from the ethical

principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the UN Universal Declaration of

Human Rights, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on the Rights of the

Child, the OECD Learning Compass 2030 and the basic documents of the European Union.

141. Estonia takes ensuring a safe learning environment very seriously. The state supports

the prevention of bullying and the promotion of mental well-being. As a result, bullying in the

Estonian school environment has consistently decreased, with the exception of cyberbullying.

142. It is important to ensure the safe and responsible use of digital technologies in school

learning and to develop the digital competences of pupils, teachers and parents. The national

curriculum is set to include a focus on strengthening the digital environment and related risk

factors.

143. In September 2025, the education programme AI-Leap was launched in Estonia, which

aims to provide upper secondary school students and teacher training with necessary AI skills

development and access to AI-based learning tools. The programme provides free access to

digital learning applications and language models to prepare young people for the demands of

the job market. The AI-Leap programme involves extensive private-public cooperation and has

an annual budget of EUR 6.5 million.

The Culture Schoolbag programme

144. Since 2022, the Culture Schoolbag programme has been offered to improve access to

culture for all Estonian children and young people. This enables them to visit at least one

cultural institution per year in connection with the school curriculum, helping them to acquire

the subject competences prescribed by the national curriculum. The programme has a budget

of EUR 1.5 million and can be used by all Estonian students in grades 1–9.

Early school leaving

145. Measures implemented in recent years have reduced early school leaving among young

people, including those with special educational needs. These measures support structural

changes in the prevention of early school leaving. Early detection systems, learning

counselling services and evidence-based intervention models for tracking and supporting

young people’s learning pathways are now in place.

146. As of 2022, the Alarm Bell warning system has been implemented in the learning

information systems used by Estonian schools. This data-based solution generates

notifications to help schools identify and intervene at an early stage in cases where secondary

school and upper secondary school students are at risk of dropping out.

147. On 1 September 2025, the learning obligation entered into force for young people up to

the age of 18. The aim is to support every learner in continuing their education after secondary

school and to reduce drop-outs from vocational or general education. A reform of vocational

education has also been launched, making vocational secondary education an equal

alternative to upper secondary education and allowing students to continue their studies in

higher education and to successfully find employment in the labour market.

New technologies

148. The Estonian state is committed to building a digital society and developing digital

services in all spheres of life. Services have been set up to support the development of digital

skills for older people in order to reduce the digital divide. Libraries provide free Internet access,

study days and digital training for older people, as well as support in using the Internet and

digital devices.

149. Building a digital space based on democracy, the rule of law and human rights is an

important part of Estonia’s foreign policy. Estonia pays special attention to everyone’s free and

unrestricted access to the Internet, and to guaranteeing that democratic and human rights-

respecting values also apply in the digital environment.

150. The National Media Literacy Action Plan 2024–2026, adopted in 2024, aims to improve

the population’s ability to critically assess, understand, and responsibly use different media

and information sources. The plan focuses in particular on developing media literacy among

young people, teachers and the elderly, as well as building resilience to disinformation.

151. Estonia’s AI and data policy strategies, as set out in the White Paper on Data and Artificial

Intelligence 2024–2030, the AI Action Plan 2024–2026 and the Data Action Plan 2024–2025,

prioritise the protection of human rights, and the promotion of human-centricity and integrity.

Every year, the mainstreaming of human rights principles and risks in AI documents increases,

with a particular focus on the ethical application of technology and the importance of a rights-

based approach to digital governance. A toolbox and support services are being developed to

help developers of artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies assess and mitigate risks

to fundamental rights related to technology.

Actions in response to climate change

152. Estonia has actively contributed to international efforts to combat climate change,

supporting the objectives of the UN Climate Framework Convention and the European Union’s

climate policy. In December 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution presented

by Estonia to declare 20 September as World Cleanup Day in the UN calendar. World Cleanup

Day, initiated by Estonias in 2008, is now the world’s largest citizens’ initiative.

153. Estonia’s legislative framework for climate objectives aligns with the requirements of the

European Union’s climate policy, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support

adaptation to climate change. Estonia is currently drafting a Climate Resilient Economy Act,

where equal opportunities and reducing the vulnerability of disadvantaged groups feature as

key topics.

Business and human rights

154. Estonia considers respect for human rights in business operations to be important and

supports global efforts to improve respect for human rights in business, based on the UN

Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational

Enterprises. Estonia is preparing to implement the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Directive (CSDDD), which aims to prevent the adverse impact of company activities and those

of entities in its subsidiary's value chains on human rights and the environment.

Islandi väljak 1 / 15049 Tallinn / +372 637 7000 / [email protected] / www.vm.ee / Registrikood 70002526

Ministeeriumid 02.03.2026 nr 15.2-4/1732-3

Eesti neljas inimõiguste korraline ülevaatus

Lugupeetud kolleeg 5. mail 2026. aastal kell 14:30-18:00 toimub Eesti neljas üldine inimõiguste korraline ülevaatus (Universal Periodic Review, UPR). Eesti inimõiguste aruande esitlus toimub Genfis. Ülevaatus kestab 3h30. Riigile antakse aruande tutvustamiseks, riikide soovitustele ja küsimustele vastamiseks ning lõppsõnaks 70 minutit, mille võib jaotada oma soovi kohaselt. Ülejäänud 140 minutit jagatakse riikide vahel, kes on avaldanud soovi Eestile soovitusi teha. Eesti delegatsiooni juhib Välisministeeriumi kantsler Jonatan Vseviov, kes teeb sissejuhatava sõnavõtu (circa 10 minutit). Välisministeerium palub Haridus- ja Teadusministeeriumil, Justiits- ja Digiministeeriumil, Kliimaministeeriumil, Kultuuriministeeriumil, Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeeriumil, Siseministeeriumil ning Sotsiaalministeeriumil esitada üks või mitu võimalikult kõrgetasemelist esindajat Eesti delegatsiooni koosseisu. Eesti kolmandal inimõiguste ülevaatusel 2021. aastal osalesid ministeeriumid delegatsioonis kantsleri, asekantsleri ja osakonnajuhataja tasemel. Välisministeerium palub ministeeriumidel ette valmistada sõnavõtt inglise keeles, milles tuuakse välja areng, edusammud ja meetmete mõju ministeeriumi haldusala puudutavates küsimustes, mida on käsitletud aruandes, ning kõigis teistes asjakohastes küsimustes, mis on olulised inimõiguste seisukohast ning pakuvad huvi eeskätt rahvusvahelisel tasandil. Sõnavõtu pikkus sõltub aruandega seotud haldusala ulatusest ning selles saab suulisel esitamisel viidata ja vastata arutelu käigus tehtavatele riikide soovitustele. Lisaks sõnavõtule palub Välisministeerium ministeeriumidel ette valmistada lühikesed asjakohased jutupunktid inglise keeles teemadel, mis võivad aruande tutvustamisel tõusetuda. Välisministeerium teeb ettepaneku jagada ministeeriumide sõnavõtud järgmiselt: Justiits- ja Digiministeerium kuni 9 minutit, Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium kuni 9 minutit Sotsiaalministeerium kuni 9 minutit, Kultuuriministeerium kuni 8 minutit, Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium kuni 7 minutit, Siseministeerium kuni 5 minutit, Kliimaministeerium kuni 3 minutit. Arutelu toimub riigi enda kohta koostatud aruande, valitsusväliste organisatsioonide aruannete ning ÜRO eriprotseduuride kokkuvõtliku aruande põhjal. Riigid võivad enne arutelu esitada kirjalikult küsimusi. Samuti võivad riigid esitada küsimusi arutelu ajal. Arutelul võivad osaleda kõik ÜRO liikmesriigid ja akrediteeritud valitsusvälised organisatsioonid, kes soovivad riigile esitada küsimusi või teha soovitusi. Kõik ÜRO liikmesriigid saavad anda riigile soovitusi inimõiguste olukorra parandamiseks. Soovitustest ja

2 (2)

arutelust koostatakse kokkuvõte, mis võetakse vastu töörühmas ning kinnitatakse lõplikult inimõiguste nõukogu istungjärgul. Välisministeerium palub ministeeriumidel delegatsiooniliikmete nimed ning sõnavõtu kavandid ning jutupunktid edastada hiljemalt 15. aprilliks 2026. aastal. Samuti palub Välisministeerium olla valmis koostööks kirjalikele küsimustele vastamisel. Eesti neljas riigiaruanne on kättesaadav Välisministeeriumi kodulehel Inimõiguste alarubriigis. Lugupidamisega (allkirjastatud digitaalselt) Minna-Liina Lind globaalküsimuste asekantsler Lisa: Eesti neljas inimõiguste aruanne inglise keeles Margot Endjärv 637 7147 [email protected]