Finland says Gaza asylum claims assessed individually, no automatic protection

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				Finland says Gaza asylum claims assessed individually, no automatic protection

The Finnish Immigration Service clarifies policy criticised by the Interior Minister: No automatic asylum for Gazans in Finland. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva

Finland’s Immigration Service has clarified that Palestinian asylum seekers from Gaza are not automatically entitled to international protection, following public confusion caused by a misinterpreted internal document.

The agency, known as Migri, said on Thursday that a previously leaked internal guideline was taken out of context and gave an incomplete picture of Finland’s asylum process. The document, which sparked public and political debate, appeared to suggest that all individuals from Gaza were categorically eligible for protection.

In a formal statement, Migri stressed that every application is subject to individual assessment, and broader guidance documents must be applied together. Internal instructions are intended to ensure consistency in decision-making but are never used in isolation.

Johanna Waal, director of Migri’s legal services unit, acknowledged the confusion.

“I regret the situation. An unclear internal guideline can create a false impression about the asylum process in cases involving Gaza,” Waal said.

She confirmed that the internal note is being revised to reflect the full scope of eligibility criteria, including risk factors related to terrorism and war crimes.

Finland recently updated its general asylum procedures, and those guidelines remain publicly available. They include provisions that allow authorities to assess links to designated terrorist organisations, including membership, affiliations or actions supporting such groups. These conditions apply to all asylum seekers, including those from conflict zones such as Gaza.

Waal said Migri personnel are trained to detect inconsistencies in applicants’ identities, which play a central role in evaluating potential security risks.

Migri’s security vetting process includes an investigation of so-called exclusion indicators. These refer to signs that an applicant might have committed serious international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other grave offences. If such indicators are present, the applicant is not eligible for protection under international or Finnish law.

“The asylum system does not offer protection to individuals identified as terrorists,” the statement said.

Recent legislative changes have also reinforced this position. Under the 2025 amendments, international protection can be denied on national security grounds. Individuals who pose a threat can be refused refugee status, permanent residence permits, and even later citizenship, regardless of their country of origin.

Migri works closely with the police, the Finnish Border Guard, and international agencies to assess and share relevant security information. These partnerships support the agency’s efforts to vet applicants while ensuring compliance with Finland’s legal obligations.

The agency reaffirmed that its country analysis, conducted in autumn 2024, found that Gaza was experiencing an extreme level of indiscriminate violence. The finding was consistent with assessments made in other EU member states.

However, this assessment only informs part of the eligibility equation. The updated guidance supplements earlier instructions and helps assess how the current conditions in Gaza influence protection claims. Final decisions are always made through case-by-case consideration.

Since the conflict in Gaza escalated in October 2023, Finland has received fewer than 40 asylum applications from Palestinian nationals. This figure includes all applicants from Palestinian territories, not just Gaza.

HT

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi

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