Finland to decide whether to reopen border with Russia after Easter
The Finnish government will consider whether to reopen border checkpoints on the Finnish-Russian border after Easter.
Source: Yle, a Finnish media outlet; European Pravda
Details: Finland’s decision to close the border with the Russian Federation is currently in place until 14 April.
The longer the decision remains in place, the more thorough Finland’s justifications would have to become, as the border closure can undermine fundamental human rights, including the right to asylum and the protection of family rights.
Still, it is possible that more serious grounds for the closure will be established, said Finland’s Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Pöysti, citing a recent report by the Finnish Security Police.
Finland’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen also said there is no evidence that Russian influence was growing weaker or that there was a decrease in the number of people trying to enter the Schengen area through Finland’s eastern border.
The Finnish Border Guard is preparing for an increase in illegal border crossings as the spring weather makes cross-country travel easier.
At least 35 border violators have been detained on Finland’s eastern border with Russia since the beginning of 2024. Most of them were detained in Finland’s southeast.
The Border Guard Service is closely monitoring all possible entry routes.
"They are monitored in the same way as international border crossings are, that is, around the clock and with the help of special surveillance equipment, patrols, and aerial surveillance equipment," said Juuso Höglöm, head of the Suomussalmi station in the Kainuu Border Guard District.
Background:
- On 19 March, Finland’s Border Guard Service launched an investigation into around 20 cases related to organised illegal crossings into Finland from Russia.
- Earlier, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged the European Union to come up with a joint response to Russia’s attempts to use migration as a weapon against the EU.
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