The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has initiated a legislative proposal to extend the so-called "deportation law", which is set to expire on 22 July this year. The ministry announced the move in a press release on Thursday.
The law, part of the Border Act, permits Finland to limit the acceptance of asylum applications at its borders under specific conditions. Its primary aim is to prevent foreign states from using migrants to exert pressure on Finland.
Critics, particularly legal experts, have argued that the law conflicts with EU legislation and international agreements.
Border restrictions remain in place
Since December 2023, Finland's land border crossings with Russia have been closed, with asylum applications redirected to ports and airports.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) stated that Finland has no plans to reopen the eastern border.
The government intends to present the proposal to parliament in April.
Debate in Parliament
Opposition leader Antti Lindtman, chair of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), expressed on X (formerly Twitter) his hope for government-opposition dialogue during the drafting process.
"Ensuring border security under all circumstances is as relevant now as it was a year ago. We will approach any government proposals responsibly," Lindtman said.
When the law was originally passed in July, it faced significant opposition from the Left Alliance and the Green Party, despite being approved by a two-thirds majority, 167–31. In addition, six SDP MPs and Swedish People's Party MP Eva Biaudet also voted against the bill.
The Left Alliance has already confirmed it will oppose the extension, citing legal and ethical concerns.
"The turnback law blatantly violates EU law and international human rights treaties. The Left Alliance cannot support it," stated Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, chair of the Left Alliance parliamentary group.
According to Oras Tynkkynen, chair of the Green Party's parliamentary group, the problems with the law have not been solved and that is why the Greens will vote against it.
