logo
Finland extends ban on migrants seeking asylum on Russia border

Finland extends ban on migrants seeking asylum on Russia border

Reuters5 days ago

HELSINKI, June 4 (Reuters) - Finland's parliament on Wednesday voted in favour of extending emergency legislation that allows the Nordic country to reject asylum applications from migrants on its closed eastern border with Russia and to send them back.
Finland has kept all passenger crossing points closed along its 1,340-kilometre (833-mile) long eastern border with Russia since the end of 2023, after accusing Russia of an attempt to destabilise Finland by sending migrants from Africa and Asia to the border, an accusation Moscow has denied.
In 2023, some 1,300 migrants arrived via Russia, prompting the government in 2024 to pass emergency legislation permitting it to reject migrants and their asylum applications, against EU rules and Finland's international commitments, for a period of one year.
Finland's right-wing government had asked parliament to extend the validity of the emergency law by 1.5 years until the end of 2026, which parliament approved with 168 members in favour and 29 against on Wednesday.
"Border law accomplished, just barely. Thanks to the large majority who thought of the best for the homeland," Finance Minister Riikka Purra of the ruling nationalist Finns Party wrote in a post.
The government needed the support of 5/6 of lawmakers in the 200-strong parliament to pass the extension as an emergency law, a high bar reflecting the fundamental principles at stake.
"Finland should be a state governed by the rule of law and respond to the actions of its neighbour in a corresponding manner, not by abandoning its own constitution and international obligations, in other words, by acting like Russia," chair Minja Koskela of opposition Left Alliance said in a statement ahead of the vote.
The flow of migrants stopped after Finland closed down all official border crossing points, and in 2024 only eight people crossed the border illegally after January, interior ministry data showed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israel Bonds
Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israel Bonds

BreakingNews.ie

time2 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israel Bonds

Opposition parties have requested a free 'vote of conscience' on a motion calling on the Government to stop the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israel Bonds. The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU. Advertisement Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy, and more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza. The Central Bank is responsible for assessing whether a prospectus for the offer of securities is in compliance with requirements of the EU Prospectus Regulation, with the authority saying approval should not be viewed as 'an endorsement of the issuer'. Protesters have demonstrated outside the Central Bank and called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Last month, a Sinn Féin bill which would have imposed restrictions securities on behalf of Israel was defeated after the Government voted against the draft legislation. Advertisement On Wednesday, the Dáil will vote on a motion on the matter brought by a number of opposition parties during the Social Democrats' time. The motion says the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza and argues Ireland has an obligations under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney said: 'We have failed as an international community to prevent a genocide from happening so now we have to do everything in our power to make sure that we stop it.' She added: 'We are urging the Government to allow a free vote, a vote of conscience, because we believe that this is something that many TDs will support if given the opportunity. Advertisement 'And we absolutely urge the government to support this motion.' Sinn Féin TD Sean Crowe said he believes the gap between the vote on the Sinn Féin Bill and this motion will given TDs 'time to reflect'. My statement on the #Madleen . The question we should be asking today is not the merits or otherwise of a flotilla but how the world is shamefully turning a blind eye to children starving in Gaza and to a humanitarian catastrophe — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 9, 2025 Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris called on Israel to lift a blockade on aid into Gaza. It comes after Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat and detained activists on board early on Monday, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory. Advertisement Mr Harris said the vessel was an 'unarmed civilian effort' to get food and medicine to the 'starving people of Gaza' in the midst of 'devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions'. Ireland Boylan accuses Government of 'cop out' on Occupied... Read More He added: 'The UN and humanitarian organisations must be allowed to work independently and do their job. 'It is a shame on the world and international community that people are starving in Gaza. 'The question we should be asking today is not a debate about the merits or not of the flotilla but how it has come to this; that the world is turning a blind eye to starving children in Gaza.' Advertisement

Day of the Jackal author and former MI6 agent Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86
Day of the Jackal author and former MI6 agent Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Metro

Day of the Jackal author and former MI6 agent Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86

Author Frederick Forsyth, best known for writing thrillers including The Day of the Jackal, has died aged 86. Throughout his career, the English novelist and journalist sold more than 70 million books in more than 30 languages. Some of them included The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, The Cobra and The Kill List. More than a dozen of his titles have been adapted for screen, including 1971's The Day of the Jackal, which was made into a movie in 1973. Last year Sky released a TV version, which starred Eddie Redmayne as the titular character. It's now been announced the novelist died earlier today after a brief illness. His literary agents Curtis Brown said that the best-selling author was surrounded by his family as he died at home on Monday morning. Born in Ashford, Kent, in 1938, Forsyth completed his National Service in the Royal Air Force as a pilot. He then went on to pursue a career in journalism, joining Reuters in 1961 before moving to the BBC four years later. Working as an assistant diplomatic correspondent, Forsyth began by covering French affairs and the attempted assassination of Charles de Gaulle and then reporting on the Nigerian Civil War. After quitting his job and working as a freelance reporter, he released his first book, The Biafra Story, in 1969. Although he went on to write a string of hugely successful novels, he once said he only turned to writing fiction due to needing to make money rathe than any desire to become a novelist. Reflecting on writing The Day of the Jackal – his first full-length novel – Forsyth said he wrote it because he was 'skint, stony broke'. That book debuted to glowing reviews and won the 1972 Best Novel Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. More Trending Decades later – in 2015 – he revealed that he'd been an informant for MI6 for over 20 years. Forsyth also narrated several documentaries, including Jesus Christ Airlines, Soldiers: A History of Men in Battle and I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal. His last book – 2018's The Fox – was released in 2018. Forsyth was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1997 New Year Honours list for services to literature. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The Twilight Zone actress Pippa Scott dies aged 90 MORE: Jonathan Joss' murder investigation takes turn as police backtrack on statement MORE: Jonathan Joss' husband says he 'held his face together' in his final moments

Seed potato farmers left in limbo after EU trade deal reached
Seed potato farmers left in limbo after EU trade deal reached

STV News

time2 hours ago

  • STV News

Seed potato farmers left in limbo after EU trade deal reached

Seed potato farmers in Scotland say they need to know 'sooner rather than later' when they can resume exporting their products to the EU. In March, a political agreement between Europe and the UK was reached after crops were banned post-Brexit, which farmers say cost the industry tens of millions of pounds. Scotland's seed potatoes are exported worldwide, but until recently, farmers haven't been able to sell them into the EU. The multi-million pound industry says a clear timeline is needed quickly if they're to make the most of the agreement. Farmer Robert Doig told STV News: 'We lost all our European market in Brexit, it went to zero…for those doing business with the EU it was sort of a catastrophe. 'But the EU seed still came in so we lost our market and had another one coming in. 'The seed potato industry has contracted a little bit.' He says the details of the deal need to come sooner rather than later. Farmers now predominantly export seed potatoes into North Africa, with Egypt and Morocco the largest export markets. Scott Walker, chief executive of GB Potatoes, said: 'This has been extremely welcome. 'The timing of those details is important to allow farmers to meet the EU's demand.' NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said last month: 'This agreement marks a welcome shift towards reducing the red tape and costs that have frustrated Scottish farmers and food exporters for years. 'While details are still emerging, anything that helps restore smoother trade with our largest export market is a positive step.' He added: 'The devil will be in the detail. We need to ensure this works across all sectors – from livestock to seed potatoes and delivers real benefits on the ground. 'The principle of the deal is dynamic alignment with EU policy, but we need to understand what the exceptions might be and how this might work in practice.' The UK Government say the specifics of the deal will be decided on in the coming months. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store