Finland: controversial law on border protection
Finland wants to pass a special law that would allow it to turn refugees away at the Finnish-Russian border. The right-wing conservative government presented its plan for the legislation on Tuesday. The majority of border crossings had already been closed after Russia allowed several hundred migrants from the Middle East and Africa who did not have the required papers to enter the country. The national press highlights conflicts between the rule of law and security interests.
Rule of law is the loser
The draft law violates international conventions, criticises Helsingin Sanomat:
“The government is trying to cover up the glaring contradiction by making the special law valid for one year and possible measures for one month at a time, provided certain conditions are met. ... The government's concern is understandable, because the pressure that Russia is exerting on Finland's eastern border with the help of immigrants could have a negative impact on the country's national security and public order. ... There is an open conflict between national security and the rule of law. The government has chosen to let the rule of law be the loser.”
A matter of national security
Iltalehti hopes that the required majority will back the special law:
“The draft is not without its problems, as was the case with previous decisions to close the eastern border to asylum seekers. However, we must not forget why such a law on pushbacks should be passed. ... The law would only be enforced if organised immigration were to escalate. It is not a bill intended to regulate Finnish asylum policy as a whole, but a matter of Finland's national security. It would therefore be desirable for the bill to secure a sufficient majority in Parliament. If not, it would send the wrong signal to Russia.”