The Finnish Parliament has extended a temporary law enabling border guards to turn away asylum seekers under certain conditions to prevent what Finland terms “instrumentalised migration” from Russia.
In mid-December 2023, Finland closed its 1,340-kilometre eastern border with Russia following the arrival of approximately 1,000 migrants without visas.
Helsinki alleged that this influx was organised by Russia, which the Kremlin denied.
In April 2024, the Finnish government announced that the border would remain closed “until further notice,” a decision reiterated a year later.
A one-year law was enacted last July, allowing border guards to directly turn back asylum seekers.
On Wednesday, the Finnish Parliament voted 168 to 29 in favour of extending this law, known as the “Temporary Measures Against Instrumentalised Migration Act,” until the end of 2026.
Experts have argued that the law conflicts with Finland’s international human rights commitments and its constitution, an issue acknowledged by the government.
The law can be activated and enforced for one month in specific areas if Finland’s sovereignty and national security are deemed threatened. Once it is activated, only certain asylum seekers, such as children or people with disabilities, can seek protection.
Their eligibility will be assessed by border guards, and people denied asylum will have no right to appeal their decision.
However, this system has never been activated.
