Finland’s government is pushing to extend a law that allows authorities to reject asylum applications from migrants crossing its eastern border with Russia. The proposed extension, which would keep the restrictions in place until the end of 2026, has sparked debate over human rights concerns and EU asylum rules.
The Finnish government claims that Russia is using migration as a political weapon by encouraging migrants from third countries to enter Finland. While Moscow has repeatedly denied these allegations, Finnish officials insist that the risk remains high. “The threat of instrumentalised migration at Finland’s eastern border remains high and unpredictable,” said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, emphasizing the need for continued restrictions.
The emergency law was initially approved in July 2024 after over 1,300 migrants from Syria, Iraq, and Yemen crossed into Finland from Russia the previous year. In response, Finland shut down its border crossings, effectively halting the migrant flow. Interior ministry data shows that only eight people have crossed illegally since January 2024.
Despite these measures, Finland’s non-discrimination ombudsman argues that the law contradicts international human rights commitments and EU asylum policies. The country’s chancellor of justice has also criticized the proposal, stating that emergency legislation should only be temporary and that the government has not provided sufficient justification for an extension.
To pass the extension, the government needs the approval of three-quarters of the 200-seat parliament, a significant hurdle given the legal and ethical concerns raised. With the current law set to expire on July 21, the debate over Finland’s border policy is intensifying.