Reports show Finland drafts emergency regulation to prevent migrants from entering country
Date
6/26/2024 6:56:28 AM
(MENAFN) Finland's Constitutional Law Committee has reportedly endorsed a draft emergency law aimed at preventing asylum seekers from entering the country via its eastern border with Russia, as detailed by Finnish media outlets on Tuesday. The decision follows heightened migration activities, with over 1,300 individuals, primarily from Africa and the Middle East, crossing into Finland from Russian territory over a four-month period, prompting the closure of the eastern land border in November last year.
The proposed legislation, supported by the ruling coalition, seeks to empower border guards to deny entry to migrants attempting to cross from Russia without processing their asylum claims. Critics have raised concerns that such measures could contravene Finland's international human rights obligations. Nevertheless, the Constitutional Law Committee determined that the law could be enacted as an "exceptional measure" due to perceived threats to national security and the rule of law.
According to reports from Helsingin Sanomat, the committee acknowledged the potential conflict with Finland's binding human rights commitments but emphasized the necessity of the legislation based on classified information not disclosed to the public. The draft law received approval by a significant margin of 15-2 in the committee's vote.
If implemented, the legislation would authorize border authorities to use force if necessary to prevent asylum seekers from entering Finland from Russia, with exemptions provided for children and individuals with disabilities. The decision underscores Finland's evolving approach to managing border security amid growing concerns over irregular migration flows and their implications for national sovereignty and security.
As discussions progress, the proposed emergency law is expected to fuel debates within Finland and draw international scrutiny regarding its compatibility with human rights standards and the broader implications for European migration policies. The outcome of this legislative initiative could influence future strategies in addressing migration challenges along Europe's eastern borders.
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