The pushback law, with which the Finnish government seeks to respond to Russian influence operations, is flagrantly at odds with international agreements, particularly with the declarations of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Eurooppanuoret demands that Parliament reject the pushback law currently being prepared.
The Finnish government has prepared a so-called pushback law in response to Russia’s actions. Through this exceptional law, the government would seek to prevent people from applying for international protection at and near Finland’s state border. This law violates international human rights obligations binding on Finland, which guarantee the right to seek asylum and prohibit returning people to countries where they face the death penalty, torture, or other inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. For this reason, Eurooppanuoret demands that the Finnish Parliament reject the pushback law and its preparation.
The first article of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights safeguards the inviolable human dignity of every person, which states are obligated to respect and protect. It is therefore appalling that, because of Russia’s hybrid warfare, various actors in Finland are willing to offer Russia exactly what it wants: Finland’s own failure to comply with the human rights obligations set out in international agreements.
“When Russia violates human rights, we must not stoop to the same level,” says Eurooppanuoret Vice Chair Nea Baarman. “The pushback law is not only problematic, but also a gross violation of human dignity,” Baarman continues.
The European Union and Finland’s Constitution are founded on a rules-based world order that has safeguarded peace and human rights in Europe and around the world. These values form the soul and heart of European identity. By abandoning the human rights obligations binding on Finland, we would at the same time be abandoning our own identity.
Further information:
Nea Baarman
Political Vice Chair
[email protected]