Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, has announced plans to reopen a land crossing with Russia once a new migration law is approved. The proposed law aims to tighten measures for migrants, allowing border agents to turn back individuals attempting to enter from Russia without processing asylum applications. Orpo credited the government’s decision to close border crossings last year for maintaining calm along Finland’s eastern border.
Despite a sharp decrease in migrant crossings this year, Finnish authorities believe that warmer weather could lead to a resurgence in migration. Orpo revealed intelligence reports suggesting thousands of individuals in Russia are waiting to reach the border. The prime minister outlined a cautious approach to reopening the border, starting with one point and expanding based on bilateral cooperation.
The legislation, set to be presented to parliament, has drawn criticism from human rights activists for its potential violation of international obligations. Finnish authorities assure that any measures to turn back migrants without processing asylum claims would be temporary and limited in scope.