Finland’s Border Policy Amid Russia Dispute

Finland has taken a significant step by passing a temporary bill that grants border agents the authority to reject asylum seekers at its borders. This move represents an escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia, sparking concerns from experts and human rights organizations who fear potential violations of international law.

Relations between Finland and Russia, sharing an 830-mile border, have strained considerably following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Last year, Finland closed all land border crossings with Russia, accusing Moscow of exploiting migration for strategic purposes, a claim that Russian authorities have dismissed as baseless.

The Finnish Parliament approved the bill with a vote of 167 to 31, establishing its validity for a year. Due to its expedited nature as a constitutional amendment, it required a larger majority for passage.

The legislation empowers authorities to suspend the acceptance of asylum applications at the border for up to a month and mandates the removal of migrants who managed to enter the country in search of asylum. Notably, the practice of “pushbacks,” which involves forcibly returning individuals across a border, is considered illegal under both European and international laws.

Initial drafts of the bill, presented in May, were deemed unconstitutional. Legal experts and the U.N. refugee agency cautioned that the proposed law could breach Finland’s international commitments and establish a concerning precedent.

Lawmakers engaged in extensive discussions to refine the bill, focusing on elements such as the appeal process for asylum seekers and the parliamentary oversight of its implementation, aiming to address concerns about Finland’s human rights obligations.