On 9 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), David Best, presented a report to the Committee of Ministers following his fact-finding mission to Finland, which took place from 21 to 23 May 2024.
The purpose of the mission was to identify how the Council of Europe can support the Finnish authorities in ensuring the fundamental rights of refugees and migrants, in line with its standards and the ongoing Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025).
During the visit, the Special Representative met relevant state authorities, Finland’s Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, and representatives from international organisations and NGOs. He also visited the Punavuori Transit Centre for refugees and the Detention Unit inside the Finnish Immigration Service’s Helsinki Reception Centre.
Drawing on the information gathered, the report examines Finland's migration situation, particularly the instrumentalisation of migrants in the context of the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine and Finland’s recent accession to NATO.
The report provides a detailed analysis of the challenges related to this instrumentalisation and Finland’s response, all within the framework of Council of Europe standards.
The analysis highlights several concerns identified by the Finnish authorities, including public order disruption, social tensions, and the strain on public services. It explores potential alternative solutions, emphasising that any measures restricting migrants' rights should be proportionate to the likelihood, scale, and immediacy of further instrumentalisation. The SRSG encourages Finnish authorities to consider how these risks can be documented and how available information can be communicated to the relevant actors, in accordance with Council of Europe standards, particularly the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
The report further details the country’s legal and institutional framework concerning migration and asylum, access to international protection, challenges related to border management and national security, as well as the reception and detention of migrants and asylum seekers.
