European Commission against Racism and Intolerance criticizes Finnish practice of issuing temporary residence permits

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The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) criticizes Finland’s practice of granting temporary residence permits to a growing number of asylum seekers. These so-called B-permits have been granted to applicants whose asylum applications have been turned down while it has not been possible to deport them.
     
According to ECRI’s third report on Finland, which was published today, the problem is that the holder of a B-permit is not entitled to a number of basic rights, including the right to work and to family reunification. The Commission announced that it is "seriously concerned" about this fact.
      "ECRI urges the Finnish authorities to discontinue the practice of issuing residence permits which do not grant access to basic rights to persons who are allowed to stay in Finland", the report states.
      The report also notes that in practice some children with B-permits have not been allowed to go to school in Finland.
     
ECRI draws up reports in four- to five-year cycles, containing its analyses and recommendations regarding racism and racial discrimination in each of the member states of the Council of Europe. The previous report on Finland was published in 2002.
      In its third report on Finland, ECRI notes that Finland has "strengthened its legal and institutional framework against racism and racial discrimination", which is reflected for example in the establishment of the post of Ombudsman for Minorities. Finland’s first Ombudsman for Minorities, Mikko Puumalainen, started his work in 2002.
      However, the report implies that certain problems related to racism and intolerance persist, and there is a need for a more consistent public commitment against racism.
      "ECRI also strongly recommends that the Finnish authorities take further steps towards a demonstrable and consistent public commitment against racism and racial discrimination in all its forms."
     
Only 2.5 per cent of the total Finnish population are immigrants. However, the number is growing - five years ago the proportion of non-citizens living in Finland was only 1.8 per cent.
      ECRI notes further that both the upward trend in the number of non-citizens and the recently adopted Government Immigration Policy Programme aimed at promoting work-related immigration indicate that integration is becoming a more topical issue in Finland.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Immigration maintains urban population growth in Finland (21.5.2007)

Links:
  European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI): Third report on Finland

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