Finish authorities have reported that about 160 asylum seekers have gone “missing” after crossing the eastern border with Russia in the past few months. Some of the missing have turned up in other EU countries, but not all.
From August to December 2023, more than 1,000 migrants crossed the border from Russia to Finland to seek asylum. According to a report by the news agency, about 900 of them arrived in November and about 300 in December. Reuters.
According to the Finnish Migration Agency Migri, a total of 1,323 asylum applications were filed at the eastern border between November and December 2023.
Also read: “I feel like I’m going to die in the cold” stranded on Finland-Russia border
Antti Lehtinen, director of Migri’s asylum unit, said: Reuters Of these, 160 people are currently missing from the reception center and their whereabouts are unknown. Eighteen of the missing have since turned up in other EU countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and Switzerland. There they reportedly resubmitted their asylum claims.
“Probably the majority…may have continued to travel to other countries.”
“Of course, most of these 160 people may continue to migrate to another country, but they have not yet applied for asylum in that country,” Lehtinen said. Reuters.
Under the so-called Dublin Regulation, asylum seekers must apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. According to the regulations, they could be sent back to the country where their fingerprints were first taken to continue their asylum application. However, this provision expires after a certain period of time, allowing migrants to file a new asylum claim in a new country if they can remain in obscurity long enough.
This may be the intention of some of the missing persons.
Also read: How asylum seekers pay to cross the Finland-Russia border
Last year, Finland gradually closed eight border crossings with Russia to prevent migrants from arriving across the border in such frigid conditions. The closure has been in place since December 15, but on January 11, authorities extended it for another month until February 11. Finnish authorities said they feared the route would return if they reopened their borders.
“There are people in nearby areas waiting for the border to open.”
Finland’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen was quoted as saying at a press conference that “there are people in nearby areas waiting for the borders to open.” AP.
Most of the migrants arriving in the last months of 2023 were reported to have come from countries in the Middle East and Africa, with the highest numbers coming from Syria, Somalia and Yemen.
People who have sought asylum in Finland are being held in reception centers pending a decision.
Many people in Finland blame Russia for orchestrating the arrival of large numbers of migrants via the eastern border. Some believe it is a “hybrid war” in retaliation for Finland finally joining the NATO pact after years of neutrality out of deference to its powerful neighbor, with whom it shares a 1,340-kilometre border.
Finland looks to the EU for a solution
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has already called on the EU to find an EU-wide solution to stop “uncontrolled entry into Europe’s passport-free Schengen area,” the report said. Reuters.
Last Thursday (January 18), Finnish security forces suspected people on the eastern border to be part of a “criminal organization” that was “aiding and abetting illegal immigration” and carrying out “large-scale human smuggling.” He announced that he is busy investigating multiple incidents. . ”
“Smuggling operations are taking advantage of border security disruptions on the eastern border,” the Border Patrol said in a statement.
Also read: Construction begins on Finland-Russia border fence
In early January, Migri issued a press statement announcing that it would put the operation of its domestic reception centers out to tender. This was not to expand the number of detention places, but to ensure competition in the operation of the centres. According to Migli, there are currently 93 centers in Finland. There are also secondary branches and service points for private accommodation customers.
“Currently, approximately 36,000 people are registered as customers in our reception system,” Migri said in a January 4 press release. Of these, 38% live in private lodging; Most of the customers are people who have fled Ukraine. ”
There are three centers managed by the Finnish Immigration Service: Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Jotseno) and Oulu.
Reuters, Associated Press