Representatives of international non-governmental organizations cast doubt on the compliance of the “International Law” of Finland’s decision to completely close the 1340-kilometer border with Russia.
The closing of the border by Finland, under the pretext that Russia deliberately displaces migrants into this country, caused concern in the international community.
“This decision undermines the rights to asylum on the border and creates a serious risk of violation of human rights,” said the press secretary of the Office of the International Human Rights Office of Amnesty International in Finland, a consultant on legal issues by Pargol Miftabi.
According to her, until any offenses on the border of the two countries are fixed, but still Helsinki should show attentiveness in this matter.
“We observe serious human rights violations in the border areas. I am not saying that this will certainly happen on the Finnish border, but this happened due to the closure of the border,” Miraftabi noted.
This decision, Finland, made “serious changes” to the country’s migration policy, and the government made it clear that the human rights activist continued “refugees here,”
continued.
Close all border posts is not a way out
To the question of how much the decision of Helsinki complies with the norms of international law of Miraftabi said that it is very difficult to say something specific about this, however, countries are obliged to ensure safe movement routes for migrants.
“now more people are forced to leave their homeland than ever before. Closing all points of crossing the border is not a solution to the problem,” added the representative of Amnesty International.
At the same time, Anna Lechtinen, Executive Director of the Finnish Refugees Council, indicated that each country has the right to protect its borders and interests of national security in difficult times.
“However, this should happen within the framework of international agreements and human rights,” she said.
What happened?
After several weeks of tension between Finland and Russia, due to refugees, which Helsinki calls the “hybrid operation” of Moscow, on November 28, the Finnish side announced the temporary closure of the land border with the Russian Federation.
Finland Prime Minister Peteri Orpo announced that from December 14, the country will again open two checkpoints on the border with Russia. We are talking about the VAALIMAA and NIIRALE checkpoint.
Later, Helsinki said that the eastern border was closing at 20 hours (21:00 Moscow time) on December 15 until January 14.
Finland from December 14 will open two gearboxes on the border with Russia – Vaalimaa and Niirala. “The government will again close the entire eastern border if (…) immigration on it will continue,” the government noted.