The Ombudsman

The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman is an autonomous and independent authority. The task of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman is to promote equality and to prevent discrimination. The Ombudsman also works towards improving the rights, living conditions and status of groups at risk of discrimination, such as foreign nationals. The Ombudsman further supervises the removal from the country of foreign nationals and is the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings.

Current Ombudsman is Rainer Hiltunen. The Government appoints the Ombudsman to the post up to five years. The duties and rights of the Ombudsman are provided for in the Non-Discrimination Act and the Act on the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. Some of the duties and rights are provided for in the Aliens Act. The Advisory Board for Non-Discrimination works with the office of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.

Non-Discrimination Ombudsman Rainer Hiltunen

The Government has appointed Rainer Hiltunen to the position of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. He started in the office on 1 August 2025. Rainer Hiltunen, Master of Laws, has a long career in promoting fundamental and human rights. Before his post as the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, Hiltunen worked as the Ombudsman for Equality and before that he worked for more than 20 years at the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman’s Office.