Finland Passes Migrant Blocking Law Crossing From Russia

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo/PHOTO via Instagram @petteriorpo

JAKARTA - The Finnish Parliament passed a law authorizing border guards to block asylum seeker crossings from Russia.

This law was passed after more than 1,300 people arrived in the country, forcing Helsinki to close its borders.

Finland accuses its neighboring Russia of arming migration by encouraging a number of migrants from countries such as Syria and Somalia to cross the border, a statement the Kremlin denies.

Helsinki believes Moscow is promoting the crossing in retaliation for Finland's joining NATO, which supports Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's far-right government said the bill was critical to halting future migrant arrivals, although the law contradicts its international human rights commitments.

"This is a strong message to Russia, a strong message to our allies that Finland is keeping its own security, we are keeping the EU border safe," Orpo said.

No newcomer to asylum seekers since March. Finland closed its land border with Russia late last year.

Finland's move is similar to the steps taken in recent years in other European countries, including Poland and Lithuania, to make it difficult for migrants to cross borders from Russia and Belarus, Russia's allies.

The Finnish bill was passed with 167 votes in favor of, 31 against, and one abstain. To qualify, the proposal requires a majority of two-thirds of the vote in parliament which has 200 seats.