Finland seeks extension of border asylum ban until 2026

Finland’s government has proposed extending a law that allows authorities to reject asylum applications from migrants crossing the closed eastern border with Russia. The emergency measure, initially approved for a year in July 2024, would now remain in place until the end of 2026 if parliament grants approval.

The government argues that the extension is necessary due to the ongoing risk of what it calls “instrumentalized migration,” referring to concerns that Russia is facilitating migrant crossings—an allegation Moscow denies. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen described the situation at the border as “tense but stable.”

The law was introduced after more than 1,300 migrants from countries including Syria, Iraq, and Yemen entered Finland from Russia in 2023, prompting border closures. According to the Finnish Interior Ministry, illegal crossings dropped significantly in 2024, with only eight recorded after January.

However, critics, including Finland’s non-discrimination ombudsman and the chancellor of justice, argue that the law may conflict with international human rights standards and EU asylum policies. The chancellor of justice also questioned the government’s justification for extending emergency measures, emphasizing that such laws should remain temporary.

To pass, the extension requires support from three-quarters of Finland’s 200-member parliament—a high threshold reflecting the legal and ethical considerations involved. The current law is set to expire on July 21.