The Finnish government announced on Thursday that it would extend the border closure with Russia for another month. The border had been closed in mid-December following an increase in the number of unauthorized migrants entering the country.
The Finnish government has announced that border crossings on the country’s land border with Russia will be closed until February 11, citing security concerns.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said at a press conference in Helsinki on Thursday, January 11, “Based on the information collected by the authorities, there is a possibility that Russia’s hybrid influence operations may resume and expand as we have just seen.” Very high.”
Authorities believe Russia’s illegal immigration operations continue. According to the report, the government stressed that “Russian authorities and other actors are facilitating instrumental migration” and considers this a “serious threat to Finland’s national security and public order.” AFP.
“There are people in neighboring regions waiting for the border to open,” Rantanen added.
Also read: Concerns over migrant rights grow at Finland-Russia border
Migrants from the Middle East and Africa seek asylum in Finland
Finland believes that Russia is trying to undermine its security by sending illegal immigrants across its border, perhaps in retaliation for joining the NATO alliance last April. Russia denies the claims, but after Finland joined NATO, Russia warned of “countermeasures.”
Finland initially closed four of the eight border crossings on its 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia in November, and eventually closed the remaining four by the end of the month. The trigger for the closure was a significant increase in the number of immigrants without valid documents or visas. Since September, 1,300 people have entered the country, a significant increase compared to the previous month.
It is reported that the migrants arriving were mainly from the Middle East and Africa, particularly Syria, Somalia and Yemen, with the majority seeking asylum in Finland. AP. The news agency said they are currently being held at migrant reception centers across the country pending a decision from authorities.
Following the closure of checkpoints in December, the Council of Europe had expressed concern that asylum rights could be hampered. The council’s human rights commissioner Dunja Mijatovic said the decision to completely close borders “could particularly impact the right to seek asylum, as well as the principles of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsions.”
Similarly, Finland’s Non-Discrimination Ombudsman said the decision to close border crossings “seriously endangers the right to seek asylum.”
Finland, with a population of 5.6 million, borders the European Union to the north and occupies a significant portion of NATO’s northeastern flank.
Uses AFP, AP
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