Finland passes law to block migrants crossing from Russia

By Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland's parliament passed a law on Friday granting border guards the power to block asylum seekers crossing from Russia, after more than 1,300 people arrived in the country, forcing Helsinki to close its border.

Finland has accused neighbouring Russia of weaponising migration by encouraging scores of migrants from countries such as Syria and Somalia to cross the border, an assertion the Kremlin denies.

Helsinki believes Moscow is promoting the crossings in retaliation for Finland joining NATO, which backs Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

The right-wing government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has said the bill is vital to stop future arrivals, despite the law being at odds with Finland's international human rights commitments.

"This is a strong message to Russia, a strong message to our allies, that Finland takes care of its own security, we take care of the security of the EU border," Orpo told a press conference after the vote.

More than 1,300 asylum seekers crossed over from Russia since last summer but there had been no new arrivals since March until Thursday.

The Finnish Border Guard released a statement after the parliament vote saying one person had crossed the border illegally on Thursday and when caught by a border guard, applied for asylum.

Finland shut its land borders with Russia late last year.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told the press conference after the bill passed that no decision had been taken on when to re-open the border crossings with Russia.

Finland's move is similar to steps taken in recent years in other European countries, including Poland and Lithuania, to make it more difficult for migrants to cross the border from Russia and Russia-ally Belarus.

The Finnish bill was passed with 167 votes in favour, 31 against and one abstention. To pass, the proposal needed a two-thirds majority of given votes in the 200-seat parliament.

Orpo urged migrants who were considering coming to Europe through Russia not to embark on the journey.

"Don't go with the smugglers," he told the news conference. "Finland takes care of its borders. The access to the borders orchestrated by Russia will not lead to access to Finland or Europe."

Moscow has denied such an intention. The Russian embassy in Helsinki did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto; additional reporting by Anna Ringstrom; editing by Alexandra Hudson, Gwladys Fouche and Susan Fenton)