City of Espoo decides not to pay compensation in Suvivirsi case
The City of Espoo has decided to reject the claims for compensation under the Non-Discrimination Act. The city considers that neither the applicant nor their child was discriminated against.
On 15 May 2026, the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal issued two decisions, in which it considers that the city had discriminated against the applicant and their child through direct discrimination based on belief. The Tribunal recommended that compensation be paid.
The City of Espoo has decided to reject the claims for compensation under the Non-Discrimination Act, as there are no grounds for the payment of compensation.
In its decisions, the city refers to a report of the Constitutional Law Committee, according to which a school celebration is not considered a religious event, even if it includes the singing of an individual hymn that is part of the Finnish celebratory tradition.
On 15 June 2026, the City Board will decide whether the City of Espoo will lodge an appeal against the Tribunal’s decision with the Administrative Court. The Tribunal’s decision included the imposition of a conditional fine on the city.
The decisions on the matter were made as two separate office-holder decisions by the Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning and the Director of Basic Education. The Director of Basic Education decides on compensation claims under EUR 2,000, while the Deputy Mayor is responsible for claims exceeding EUR 2,000. The decisions have been published on the City of Espoo’s website.