Finland is ready to close all checkpoints on the border with Russia
Kyiv • UNN
Finland is ready to completely close its border with Russia if necessary, and has already tried to tighten border restrictions, but legal issues related to the rights of asylum seekers have prevented it. The government can make such a decision for reasons of national security or public order, despite any legal objections.
Finland may close the border with Russia completely. Such a drastic decision will be made if necessary. Before making a decision, the proposal must pass the legal supervision of the Chancellor of Justice or the Deputy Chancellor of Justice. This was reported by Helsingin Sanomat, according to UNN.
Details
Last week, the Finnish government tried to completely close the eastern border. Then the Vice Chancellor of Justice stopped the government's proposal to tighten restrictions on the eastern border because it would not adequately protect the possibility of applying for asylum.
According to Deputy Chancellor of Justice Mikko Puumalainen, the documents prepared by the Ministry of the Interior did not contain sufficient guarantees that the decision would preserve the genuine and effective possibility to apply for international protection guaranteed by the Constitution, EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights treaties.
As recently as last week, there was a strong political desire within the government to completely close the eastern border to asylum seekers. The government is still of the opinion that Russia's influence operation must be responded to with tough measures.The government ended up closing all other checkpoints except Raja Yosepin, which is the northernmost checkpoint on the eastern border. On Saturday, 55 people from Russia arrived there, and on Sunday, a few people arrived.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (Kok) said on Sunday that the government could close the entire eastern border if necessary. According to Orpo, the government wants to put an end to Russian authorities helping people reach the Finnish border.
Also on Sunday, Finance Minister and chairman of Basic Finns Rikka Purra called for the entire eastern border to be closed.
We have no other options. No disputes at the border will help. The control of the law will sort out the situation from the point of view of national security and will make it possible to close the entire border. But if not, a political decision must be made anyway,
Therefore, Purra noted that the government should make a decision, even if the office of the Chancellor of Justice, which oversees the government's actions, sees no legal basis for it.
Addendum
The Border Guard Service Law was revised in the summer of 2022. Based on its 16th section, the Government may decide to close a border crossing point or restrict cross-border traffic for a certain period or until further notice if the closure or restriction is necessary to combat a serious threat to public order, national security or public health.
On the same grounds, the Government of Finland may decide to focus the application for international protection at one or more border crossing points, if necessary.
Recall
As previously written UNN, ON NOVEMBER 16 November, the Government of Finland in order to to ensure national security, the Government of Finland decided to close some checkpoints on the border with Russia.
SEE ALSO: Finland plans to close all checkpoints on the border with Russia, except for one, Raja-Joosepi
