Finland joins Sweden in expelling large number of refugees as tensions continue to grip Europe

Following Sweden's footsteps, the Finish government is set to expel 20,000 refugees who arrived in the country last year and whose applications have been turned down.

The two Nordic countries made their moves as Europe continues to struggle in efforts to resolve tensions in handling the influx of refugees, Fox News reported.

The number of refugees to be deported is among the 32,000 migrants that Finland received in 2015, whose applications have been evaluated individually, according to Paivi Nerg, Finnish Interior Ministry's administrative director.

"In principle we speak of about two-thirds, meaning approximately 65 percent of the 32,000 will get a negative decision (for asylum application),'' said Nerg, adding that in the previous years there were around 60 percent of applicants who received a negative decision.

Nerg said the agency has tightened its criteria for asylum seekers from Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia this year in the wake of terror threats.

At least two charter flights have been planned within the following months for the refugees, according to the official.

The announcement came after Sweden said it would send 80,000 asylum seekers back to their home countries on chartered flights.

The two Nordic countries are both struggling to cope with an unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants fleeing war and misery in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Finland is also in diplomatic negotiations with neighbouring Russia to stop the entry of migrants, who are funnelling down from the now barred Norway border, from entering Finland via the Arctic region, according to Fox News.

"The ministry is planning to set up separate transit centres for those to be deported from those wanting to leave the country on a voluntary basis,'' she said.

The deportations will take place gradually as immigration authorities process applications, said Nerg.

Analysts say the ever-growing number of asylum-seekers, combined with high-profile crimes blamed on migrants in various countries across Europe, has led to the introduction of more hard-line policies towards migrants.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Europe wastes tonnes of food every year and UK is the worst offender, study finds
Europe wastes tonnes of food every year and UK is the worst offender, study finds

Europe wastes tonnes of food every year and UK is the worst offender, study finds

Hungary PM slams migrant \'rebellion\', UN warns of millions more refugees
Hungary PM slams migrant 'rebellion', UN warns of millions more refugees

Hungary PM slams migrant 'rebellion', UN warns of millions more refugees

Refugee crisis, if not properly managed, could spark war in Europe, Merkel warns
Refugee crisis, if not properly managed, could spark war in Europe, Merkel warns

Refugee crisis, if not properly managed, could spark war in Europe, Merkel warns

Sweden to expel 80,000 refugees after crime surge, lack of resources prompt policy reversal
Sweden to expel 80,000 refugees after crime surge, lack of resources prompt policy reversal

Sweden to expel 80,000 refugees after crime surge, lack of resources prompt policy reversal

News
Flying the flag – act of defiance or plea for help?
Flying the flag – act of defiance or plea for help?

Left to themselves, the English are notoriously slow to make any kind of public display, so in trying to understand what’s really going on here, perhaps we should ask why people have felt moved to behave in so ‘unBritish’ a way?

Pope Leo XIV listed among Time’s 2026 100 most influential people
Pope Leo XIV listed among Time’s 2026 100 most influential people

Pope Leo XIV has been included in Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, marking another milestone in the early months of his historic papacy.

The backstory to St George and his flag
The backstory to St George and his flag

23 April marks St George’s Day, which often passes unnoticed. But who was St George and why is he England's patron saint? This is the story …

Dear Saint George: A letter to England’s patron saint
Dear Saint George: A letter to England’s patron saint

Peter Crumpler shares his appreciation for England's patron saint.