The Finnish Government has proposed extending its controversial asylum restrictions along the eastern border with Russia until the end of 2026. The temporary law, which came into force in July 2023, was originally intended to last only one year.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the extension is necessary due to ongoing security concerns and the unpredictable nature of the geopolitical situation. The proposal was submitted to the Finnish Parliament (Riksdag) earlier this week.
Finland closed Russian border after migrant influx in late 2023
The legislative move comes in response to a sharp rise in asylum seekers arriving via Russia in late 2023. Finnish border officials claim that Russian authorities deliberately facilitated the influx—a charge that the Kremlin has consistently denied.
“The threat posed by the use of migration as a tool at Finland’s eastern border is high and unpredictable,” said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen in a public statement. “The situation is currently tense but stable. However, we must be prepared for it to change quickly.”
In response to the surge, Finland closed all of its eastern border crossings with Russia in November 2023. The government accused Moscow of orchestrating what it called a “hybrid operation” to destabilize Finnish national security.
Rights groups and opposition criticize Finnish asylum policy
The temporary law enables Finnish authorities to limit the reception of asylum applications at the Russian border, effectively suspending normal asylum procedures in the region. While officials argue that the measure is essential for maintaining public order and national security, critics have raised serious concerns over its legality.
Legal experts and human rights groups argue that the policy violates both Finland’s constitution and international obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Even the Finnish Government has acknowledged the legal ambiguity. In official documents accompanying the extension proposal, authorities admit that the law “conflicts with certain fundamental and human rights principles.”
Opposition parties in the Riksdag have also voiced concerns. The Left Alliance (Vasemmistoliitto) and the Green League (Vihreä liitto) have criticized the government’s approach, arguing that it undermines Finland’s commitment to international law and humanitarian values. “We understand the security concerns, but this policy puts vulnerable people at risk and erodes the rule of law,” said a Green League spokesperson.
Migration used as political leverage
Finland’s move mirrors concerns elsewhere in Europe over the weaponization of migration. Similar tensions were seen in 2021, when Belarus was accused of pushing migrants across the EU border in retaliation for sanctions. Analysts warn that such tactics are likely to continue as geopolitical rifts deepen.
Finland, a member of both the EU and NATO, has grown increasingly wary of Russian influence following its accession to the alliance in 2023 and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Border closures and asylum policy under scrutiny
The proposal to extend the restrictions is expected to trigger further debate in the Finnish Parliament and among European institutions. If approved, the law will remain in effect until December 2026.
Meanwhile, all eight official border crossings between Finland and Russia remain closed, and no timeline for reopening has been announced. The Finnish Border Guard has reported a significant drop in attempted crossings since the closures were implemented.
As Finland navigates the delicate balance between security and human rights, its eastern frontier remains a flashpoint in the wider geopolitical struggle between Europe and Russia.
