Finland Could Reconsider Repatriations In Light Of Situation In Somalia
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Political instability could block deportation of convicted criminals and rejected asylum-seekers
Helsinki, Finland, June 8, 2006 – The Directorate of Immigration must take into consideration recent events in the Somali capital Mogadishu when considering whether or not Somali asylum-seekers, or Somali immigrants who have been convicted of a crime can be sent back to Somalia.
The directorate has been updating its assessment of Somalia’s situation. The occupation of the Somali capital Mogadishu by Islamist fighters on Monday is postponing the publication of the assessment.
"This is a new situation, in a way. We must assess whether or not this is significant with respect to international protection", says Jaana Vuorio, head of the directorate’s Legal and Country Information Unit.
She did not want to speculate on Tuesday if the new situation would change the directorate’s assessment of Somalia, or when the new assessment might be ready.
The directorate is still considering proposals for the deportation of a group of Somali youths convicted of robberies in the Helsinki region.
The situation in Mogadishu could affect decisions on the deportation of at least some of them. So far, Finland has deported just one Somali citizen convicted of a crime in Finland. He was sent to Somaliland in the spring of 2004.
Source: Helsingin Sanomat
Islamist fighters occupied the Somali capital Mogadishu on Monday.
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