131. In his reply, the representative stated that it was too early to evaluate the results of the implementation of the new legislation on the status of conscientious objectors. At present, a circular was being distributed to various departments in order to obtain their opinion on the bill. The remedy in a case where approval was refused for the distribution of video cassette6 consisted of an appeal to the Film Board and, in the second instance, to the Supreme Administrative Boards. The penalty for the crime of breaching the sanctity of religion applied to any such offender, and not merely to certain group. The Government’s objections to a ban on war propaganda were based on strongly held principles and were not expected to change in the near future. However, the draft proposals for reform of the Penal Code contained a reference to incitement to war. . ProtectiOn of the..famllv ‘. 132. With regard to that issue , members of the Committee wished whether easy divorce did not have an adverse effect on children. to know 133. In his reply, the representative said that the reform of the Marriage Act and the divorce laws had been seen as a realistic development in Finnish society. The “guilt principle” had had a negative effect on relationships within families, and its abolition had been an improvement from the children’s point of view. 134. With regard to that issue, members of the Committee asked whether citizens of countries other than the Nordic countries were entitled to voting right6 after two years’ residenae and whether those rights extended to membership in political associations. 135. In his reply, the representative said that, for the time being, only Finnish citizens had the right to vote and that membership in political parties was open to all foreigners in Finland. 136. With reference to that issue, members of the Committee wished to know what was the current status of consideration of the proposed Sami Language Act, mentioned in paragraph 139 of the report1 what progress had been achieved in improving the status and conditions of the Finnish Romanies as a result of the passage of such laws a6 the Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Racial or Ethnic Origin (1970) and the law aimed at improving the Romanies’ housing conditions; why the Finnish legislation differed so much from the Swedish by keeping reindeer breeding open to all; whether there was any law governing the recognition of ethnic minority groups in Finland; what minorities there were other than Swedish, gypsies and Samis, and whether such minorities enjoyed any special treatment; and what mea6uresr other than measures in the area6 of education and language, had been taken to preserve the culture of minority groups. 137. In his reply, the representative said that the proposed Sami Language Act, which would guarantee the Samis the right to use their mother tongue in courts and in dealing6 with the authorities, had been submitted to Parliament -33-