The number of asylum seekers entering Finland this year has already surpassed the average for previous years. Officials in southwest Finland had processed over 600 asylum applications by the beginning of July, compared to 400 for all of 2014. Many applications are successful, but even unsuccessful applicants remain in Finland if their security elsewhere cannot be guaranteed. So they receive subsidiary protection on humanitarian grounds. Asylum seekers entering Finland come from the conflict and destruction of Islamic State or their migration might involve family feuds or political persecution. Some Albanians say they are seeking better living conditions. More often than not there is some kind of persecution behind many of the applications. There is increasing overcrowding at reception centres. The high demand for asylum services has caused police in southwest Finland to redirect resources from other police responsibilities to help ease the bottleneck in the system.
Finland: Asylum seekers situation chaotic
Written by Linda Digby 30 Jul 2015Additional Info
- Pray: for more manpower and funding for reception centres operated by the Finnish Red Cross. (Deut. 25:4)
- More: www.yle.fi/uutiset/police_asylum_seeker_situation_chaotic/8186936