FALCON POWERS – On Friday, the Finnish parliament passed a law granting border guards the authority to prevent asylum seekers from crossing over from Russia, after more than 1,300 people arrived in the country, forcing Helsinki to close its borders.
Finland has accused its neighbor Russia of using migration as a weapon by encouraging dozens of migrants from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the border, which the Kremlin denies. Helsinki believes Moscow is encouraging migrant crossings in retaliation for Finland’s joining NATO, which supports Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
The right-wing government of Prime Minister Petri Orpo said the draft law was necessary to prevent future arrivals, even though the law contradicts Finland’s international human rights obligations. Orpo said in a press conference after the vote: “This is a strong message to Russia, and a strong message to our allies, that Finland cares about its security, and we care about the security of the EU’s external borders.”
More than 1,300 asylum seekers have crossed from Russia since last summer, but no new arrivals have been recorded since March until Thursday.
The Finnish Border Guard issued a statement after the parliamentary vote, saying that one person illegally crossed the border on Thursday and, when apprehended by border guards, applied for asylum. Finland closed its land border with Russia in late 2022.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said at the press conference following the law’s approval that no decision has been made on when to reopen the border crossings with Russia.
Finland’s move resembles steps taken in recent years by other European countries, such as Poland and Lithuania, to make it harder for migrants to cross the borders from Russia and its ally Belarus.
The Finnish bill was passed after a majority vote of 167 in favor, 31 against, and 1 abstention. Passing a bill in Finland requires a two-thirds majority vote in the 200-seat parliament.
Orpo urged migrants considering coming to Europe via Russia to not embark on the journey.
At the press conference, he said “Don’t go with the smugglers… Finland cares about its borders. The access that Russia is encouraging will not lead to entry into Finland or Europe.”
Moscow denies having such an intention. The Russian embassy in Helsinki has not yet responded to a request for comment.
