World News | Finnish Lawmakers Approve Controversial Law to Turn Away Migrants at Border with Russia
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Finnish lawmakers have narrowly approved a controversial bill that will allow border guards to turn away third-country migrants attempting to enter from neighbouring Russia and reject their asylum applications.
Helsinki, Jul 12 (AP) Finnish lawmakers have narrowly approved a controversial bill that will allow border guards to turn away third-country migrants attempting to enter from neighbouring Russia and reject their asylum applications.
The government's bill, meant to introduce temporary measures to curb migrants from entering the Nordic nation, was a response to what Finland sees as “hybrid warfare” from Moscow, accused by Helsinki for funnelling undocumented migrants to the two countries' border.
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The temporary law, valid for one year, was approved by 167 lawmakers — the minimum needed for it to pass in the 200-seat Eduskunta, or Parliament. Lawmakers of the Left Alliance and the Green League were among those who voted against the bill. Thirty-one lawmakers voted against it.
Opponents say it clashes with the Constitution of Finland, international rights commitments set by the United Nations and pledges by the EU and international treaties signed by Finland. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)