The passing of legislation in Finland that abolishes the requirements for trans people to endure invasive medical and psychiatric procedures before they can have their gender recognised is a major victory for equality, says Amnesty International. The new law – passed on 1 February by Finland’s Parliament with 113 votes in favour and 69 against – removes the requirement for trans people to be sterilised and obtain a psychiatric diagnosis for them to obtain legal gender recognition. “By passing this act, Finland has taken a major step towards protecting trans people’s rights and improving their lives and right to self-determination,” said Matti Pihlajamaa, Amnesty International Finland’s LGBTI Rights Advisor. “The vote comes as a result of more than a decade of campaigning by civil society groups and is a testament to the commitment of activists who have fought long and hard – often in the face of toxic rhetoric – to see this day.” Under Finland’s current legislation, which is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, an individual must provide proof of infertility before they can be granted legal gender recognition.