Finnish human rights organizations Vapaa liikkuvuus, Turvapaikanhakioiden tuki and others held a demonstration demanding the opening of the border with Russia, announced the public broadcaster yle.
The groups say the closure of the border with the Russian Federation and the deportation law passed in the summer put asylum seekers in grave danger, and the government's claims of security threats criminalize refugees and reinforce racism. p>
„They are in dire straits and we have a duty to respect human rights,” said Sana Valtonen, chair of the board of Turvapaikanhakioiden tuki, an organization that supports asylum seekers.
The Finnish government has closed road checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation from November 2023, citing an uncontrolled flow of refugees from third countries.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Finland's decision to close border crossings creates new dividing lines in Europe, and Moscow's response to these actions will be developed in an interdepartmental format.