Network of Conflicts : The obscure legal framework of the Sámi in the Kola Peninsula, Northwest Russia

This thesis examines the effects of the legal framework of the indigenous peoples defined in the study on different aspects of the lives of the Kola Sámi living in the Kola Peninsula. In Russia, both the Constitution and Federal laws guarantee the protection of indigenous peoples’ way of life through various rights. Despite this, several scholars and the media have increasingly written about the challenges related to the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples, especially during the last decade. In this thesis, the effects of Sámi rights are examined by using the theory of legal pluralism, which takes into account the colonial nature of laws and their outcome. The data of the study consists of f interviews, 21 news articles and one podcast. Due to the restricting political atmosphere in Russia in 2022 and the research pressure on the Sámi people, the data has been compiled using different, mutually supporting and reinforcing qualitative methods. The research topic is approached with content analysis, which emphasizes the three main themes identified from the background literature, in light of which the effects of Sámi rights are discussed. These three themes are bureaucracy, environment and economy. In addition to the three main themes, the analysis identifies three different fields of influence of Sámi rights: control of rights through self-governance and self-determination; obstacles related to the pursuit of traditional livelihoods; and contradictions in the existence of rights de jure. The results show that the realization of Sámi rights is secondary to the interests of the state and local actors. The colonialist attitude of the Russian Federation towards its Arctic regions manifests itself in the primacy of the capitalist benefit of the Kola Peninsula at the expense of the rights and traditions of the Kola Sámi. The results show that during V. V Putin’s current administration, the nature of the rights of the Kola Sámi has become repressive and further limiting. In order to fulfill Arctic interests, the Sámi are controlled and assimilated through their legal framework. Obstacles and difficulties in the exercise of rights as well as harassments against the Kola Sámi contribute to the alienation of the population from their environment and traditions. Thus, in this thesis, the effects of Sámi rights are seen as intentional, oppressive and suppressing the population instead of their protection.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingin yliopisto

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Ollila, Mirkka Elisa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Helsingin yliopisto, Valtiotieteellinen tiedekunta
• University of Helsinki, Faculty of Social Sciences
• Helsingfors universitet, Statsvetenskapliga fakulteten

• rights framework
• indigenous rights
• Kola Sámi
• legal pluralism
• colonialism
• content analysis
• Russia
• рамки прав
• права коренных народов
• саами
• правовой плюрализм
• колониализм
• контент-анализ
• Россия

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

URN:NBN:fi:hulib-202302011184

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/353960