In a concerning development, approximately 160 individuals who sought asylum at Finland’s eastern border last year are reported missing, adding complexity to the ongoing challenges posed by a sudden increase in asylum seekers arriving via Russia. Finland’s immigration authority, Migri, revealed the alarming situation, shedding light on the uncertainties surrounding the whereabouts of these individuals who applied for asylum amidst the closure of the eastern border.
Finland took the step to close its eastern border with Russia in late 2023, citing a rising influx of arrivals from various countries, including Syria and Somalia. Accusations were made against Moscow, alleging that it was directing migrants to the border—an assertion that the Kremlin vehemently denies. The immigration authority, Migri, disclosed that between August and December of the previous year, they received 1,323 asylum applications at the eastern border, with a significant surge in November and December, totaling around 900 and 300 applications, respectively.
Director of the Asylum Unit at Migri, Antti Lehtinen, informed Reuters that currently, 160 individuals are missing from reception centers, with their whereabouts mostly unknown. Notably, 18 individuals have surfaced in other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, and Switzerland, to refile asylum applications. While acknowledging the possibility that many of the missing individuals may have continued their journey to another country, they have not yet applied for asylum in those nations.
Every asylum seeker in Finland has their fingerprints recorded in the Eurodac system, Europe’s shared fingerprint database. According to EU rules, the country where a migrant first applies for asylum is responsible for processing the application. In January, Finland extended the closure of its border with Russia until February 11, expressing concerns that reopening the border might reignite the inflow of asylum seekers.
Last year, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto called for a comprehensive EU-wide solution to address the challenge of uncontrollable entry into Europe’s passport-free Schengen area. The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of border management and the need for collaborative efforts to tackle the complexities of migration.
In response to the escalating situation, a coast guard unit of the Finnish Border Guard is actively investigating cases of “assisting illegal immigration” related to the eastern border. There are suspicions of criminal organizations engaging in large-scale human smuggling, taking advantage of disruptions in border security.
The disappearance of asylum seekers amplifies the multifaceted issues surrounding migration and border control. As authorities work to determine the fate of these missing individuals, the incident underscores the importance of international cooperation and coordinated efforts to address the complex challenges posed by the surge in arrivals and potential human smuggling activities.
