Finnish Parliament approves bill blocking asylum seekers crossing from Russia

Finland’s parliament has approved a controversial bill that empowers border guards to prevent asylum seekers from entering from Russia, Al Jazeera reported

Helsinki has accused Russia of using migration as a tool by encouraging people from nations such as Syria and Somalia to cross the border, a claim that Russia denies, the report said.

The Finnish Prime Minister says the bill is necessary to curb future arrivals. However, legal experts and human rights organizations argue it violates Finland’s Constitution, United Nations international rights commitments, EU pledges, and international treaties signed by Finland.

Reports indicate that more than 1,300 asylum seekers have crossed from Russia since mid-last year, with no new arrivals from March until Thursday. Most of these recent arrivals come from the Middle East and Africa, including countries like Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.