The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) or the so called deportation law, said the ministry in a press release on Thursday.
The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.
“The security situation at Finland’s eastern border is tense but stable for now. However, we must be prepared for rapid and critical changes. Finland still has no plans to open the eastern border,” said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.
Finland’s eastern border is the longest external border that both the EU and NATO have with Russia.
“We thank our partners for their support, and trust that it will continue. Finland will not allow its external borders to become a pathway for instrumentalised migration into Europe,” said Rantanen.
The Border Security Act entered into force on 22 July 2024 and will remain in force for one year.
It lays down the conditions under which Finland can decide to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in a limited area on Finland’s national border and in its immediate vicinity.
The purpose of the act is to prevent foreign states from exerting influence on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.
The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 15 December 2023 by virtue of a series of government decisions. The most recent decision was issued on 15 April 2024 and will remain in force until further notice.
Applications for international protection may be submitted at other border crossing points at Finland’s external borders that are still open for air and maritime traffic.
The aim is to submit a government proposal on the extension of the validity of the Border Security Act to Parliament in April 2025. The term of the project is from 9 January to 30 May 2025.
Earlier on July 16, the President approved the law, which was passed by the parliament on July 12.
Earlier, the government on May 21 submitted a proposal to Parliament for an act on temporary measures to combat instrumentalised migration.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on May 22 criticized the government´s move to enact a new law on deportation.
- Finland
- To extend
- Deportation
- Law
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
