Finland passes bill to stop migrants at border. The government says the legislation, which could see asylum-seekers turned away at the border, is to combat Russia’s “instrumentalized migration.” But critics say the bill contravenes human rights obligations, according to DW.
Finland closed its border with Russia in mid-December in response to the surge in migrants.Image: Heikki Saukkomaa/picture alliance/dpa/Lehtikuva
Finland’s Parliament on Friday voted in favor of legislation that would permit border guards to turn away asylum-seekers at its eastern border under certain circumstances.
The new law comes following a dramatic increase in the number of asylum-seekers from countries such as Somalia and Syria arriving in Finland via its 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia in the past year.
Helsinki claims that the surge was orchestrated by Moscow, which it accuses of “weaponizing migration” as part of “hybrid attacks” in response to Finland’s accession to NATO. The Kremlin denies the suggestions.
