Finland’s Ministry of Interior is launching three projects to align international protection rules with the Government Programme, which will result in international protection becoming temporary and allowing withdrawal of protection in case of severe offences by the applicant.
According to a recent statement, Finland also plans to implement a new border procedure and streamline the asylum process for increased efficiency, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The Programme of Petteri Orpo’s Government states that Finland will introduce more stringent provisions into the legislation on international protection within the scope permitted by the Qualification Directive (2011/95/EU) and the Asylum Procedures Directive (2013/32/EU).
International Protection Shifts to Temporary Status
Finland is set to introduce measures in line with the Qualification Directive, which defines criteria for recognising applicants as beneficiaries of international protection, their status, and the specifics of the protection offered. In addition, applicants will join the Asylum Procedures Directive, which establishes standardised procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection.
As the Ministry explains, the primary objective of the initial project is to implement stricter regulations.
The project aims to transform international protection into a temporary status and reduce the duration of international protection permits to the minimum period permitted by the Directive.
In the future, an asylum-based permit will be valid for three years, while a subsidiary protection-based permit will be valid for one year.
As for those who commit serious offences or pose a threat to public order and security, the Finnish authorities said that they will be stripped of their international protection status and possibly be banned from entering the country.
New Rules Prevent Applicants From Moving Within EU
Another project is designed to enhance international protection regulations and focuses on implementing a border procedure by the Asylum Procedures Directive. This border procedure will be employed when an asylum application is submitted at or near the EU’s external border and is anticipated to need a valid basis.
The introduction of the border procedure serves a dual purpose: firstly, to deter asylum seekers from relocating to other areas within the Union, and secondly, to ensure consistent application of the procedure in all migration scenarios as outlined in the Directive.
Regarding the third project, the Ministry noted that it is dedicated to improving the efficiency of the asylum process by the Government Programme. The project will establish a stronger connection between the asylum process and the Asylum Procedures Directive and assess the essential information that should be gathered during the application registration and submission stages.