Diplomatic note sent to Germany over airport woman
|
|
According to the Finnish News Agency STT, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has despatched a diplomatic note to the German Foreign Ministry over the treatment of a mentally ill Finnish woman who has been sleeping rough in Berlin.
According to the ministry's consular services department, the note requested the German authorities take urgent action to treat the woman.
She has been sleeping rough on Berlin's streets and at the Tegel and Schönefeld airports since December of last year, when she flew to the German capital, apparently without money or any documentation.
The case has received a good deal of attention in the German media
According to the news agency, a Finnish doctor - who made an earlier unsuccessful attempt to bring the woman back to Finland - and a Finnish clergyman have both accused the German authorities of unethical conduct.
The Finnish request is based on the Hague Convention of 2000 on the International Protection of Adults.
The Convention has been ratified in Germany and entered into force at the beginning of this year. Finland signed the same agreement but it is to come before Parliament for discussions on ratification later this year.
Helsingin Sanomat
