The Parliamentary Ombudsman will not investigate the actions of Members of Parliament and a Member of the European Parliament in connection with a recent photo controversy

The Parliamentary Ombudsman has received dozens of complaints criticising photographs of Members of Parliament Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew as well as Member of the European Parliament Sebastian Tynkkynen, depicting a gesture that has caused public controversy in recent days.

Under section 109 of the Constitution, the task of the Parliamentary Ombudsman is to ensure that the courts and other authorities, as well as public officials, employees of public bodies and others performing public functions, comply with the law and fulfil their obligations.

Private individuals, Parliament and Members of Parliament in the exercise of their parliamentary duties, as well as Members of the European Parliament, do not fall within the scope of the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate.

Deputy Ombudsman’s substitute Jari Råman has therefore concluded that he is not able to investigate the actions of Members of Parliament Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew or Member of the European Parliament Sebastian Tynkkynen. Complainants will receive a reply to this effect.

Further information is available from Principal Legal Adviser Heini Färkkilä, tel. +358 9 432 3374.

More information on the duties and mandate of the Parliamentary Ombudsman is available on the Ombudsman’s website at www.oikeusasiamies.fi.