Thursday July 25, 2024
FILE - A Group of mainky East African migrants arrive to the international border crossing at Salla, northern Finland, November 23, 2023. Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari via REUTERS
HELSINKI, Finland (HOL) — Finland's new law to turn away asylum seekers at its eastern border with Russia has officially come into effect. The law aims to combat what it describes as instrumentalized immigration. The Finnish Parliament approved this legislation earlier this month, reflecting growing tensions between Finland and Russia.
The law, effective for 12 months, allows border guards to block asylum seekers during national emergencies and deny them the right to appeal.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's right-wing government argues that the bill is essential for national security. The main opposition party, the Social Democrats, also supported the bill, although some members disagreed. The bill required a five-sixths majority in parliament to be deemed urgent and a two-thirds majority to pass.
The legislation comes amid accusations that Russia is "weaponizing" migration by encouraging migrants from countries such as Somalia and Syria to cross into Finnish territory. Finland believes these actions are retaliation for its recent NATO membership and support for Ukraine. In November 2023, Finland closed its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia after over 900 asylum seekers, mainly from Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, crossed the border in one month. These migrants often arrived without proper visas or valid documentation.
The legislation has faced criticism from human rights organizations and the Council of Europe for potentially breaching international human rights commitments. Critics argue that the law undermines the rule of law and Finland's international obligations. Green Party leader Sofia Virta emphasized the importance of adhering to human rights standards.
This move by Finland mirrors actions taken by other Baltic states. In 2021, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia enacted similar laws after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko directed migrants towards the EU in retaliation for sanctions. These actions have faced condemnation from the European Court of Human Rights.
Many analysts view Russia's actions as part of a broader strategy to destabilize Western democracies. Finnish officials have noted that migrants arriving at the border were often given the option to fight in Ukraine or be transported to the border, highlighting the structured nature of Russia's efforts.
The Finnish government has warned that warmer weather could make travel easier, potentially escalating the migration crisis. Prime Minister Orpo emphasized that Finland would not accept any attempt to undermine its national security.