Unexpected debate over quota refugees

Red Cross and Amnesty feels municipalities should be paid more to settle refugees

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The intensity of recent debate over so-called quota refugees has come as a surprise to Finnish experts.
      On Tuesday, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen (Centre) said that the Finnish refugee quota should be reduced. The quota system has remained largely unchanged since 1986, when a decision on the first refugee quota was made.
     
The Director of Immigration at the Ministry of the Interior, Sirkku Päivärinne, says that the Finnish system has the approval of the people.
      She feels that it is not reasonable to evaluate policy on quota refugees exclusively from the point of view of integration or labour policy. She says that as far as the Congolese are concerned, the question is one of international protection and a need for resettlement.
      “Quota refugees have traditionally integrated well, and they are interested in the integration of their children”, Päivärinne says.
     
At the Finnish Red Cross, Johanna Matikainen is surprised at the debate that has emerged in recent days.
      “The tone of the overall debate has become fairly aggressive and belligerent. We have been considering how to push the debate forward.”
      “Receiving quota refugees has not sparked debate previously, because the numbers are small.”
     
Väyrynen’s statement is seen to be prompted by the attitude of local authorities toward refugees.
      The Centre Party speaks for local authorities, and attitudes in Finland's municipalities have become increasinly critical toward quota refugees and immigrants in general.
      Municipalities are calling for an greater increase in state compensation for settling refugees than the ten per in this year’s budget.
     
The Finnish Red Cross and the Finnish section of Amnesty International also feel that municipalities should be compensated more for taking refugees.
      Tiina Valonen, director of human rights work at the Finnish section of Amnesty, points out that most of the world’s refugees are received by countries that are poor, and which suffer from conflict. “Finland should increase its quota”, Valonen says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President of National Coalition Party Youth Arm criticises Finnish immigration policy (23.2.2010)
  Cutting down on number of quota refugees may increase human trafficking (24.2.2010)

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