The Finnish Parliament has passed a contentious bill permitting border guards to deny entry to asylum seekers at the country’s eastern frontier, under certain circumstances, without considering their applications.
The temporary law follows a surge last year of asylum seekers arriving at the border with Russia, which Helsinki asserts was coordinated by Moscow, which has denied the claim. The legislation was passed by 167 votes to 31.
Set to be in force for a year, it empowers the government to restrict applications for international protection to shorter timeframes and defined segments of its frontier.
The right-wing government argued the need for new legal tools following the arrival last autumn of nearly 1,000 visa-less migrants at its 1,340km-long border with Russia.
“This is a strong message to Russia and our allies," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated after the vote in Parliament. "Finland will ensure its own safety and that of the EU borders.”
Finland closed its border with its eastern neighbour for an indefinite period in mid-December.
Experts and the government itself have admitted that the law contravenes Finland’s international human rights obligations and its constitution. Outside Parliament, around a hundred people protested against the legislation, dubbing it “the expulsion law,” according to Finnish media.
Geared to counteract “Russian hybrid attacks” in the words of the Finnish authorities, the law can be activated for a month in given regions of the country if Finland's sovereignty and security are deemed threatened.
Only vulnerable asylum seekers, such as children and disabled people, will then be allowed to apply for international protection. Their eligibility will be based on the border guards’ appraisal of their case, and no appeal will be permissible.
