Government proposes accelerated enforcement of deportation decisions

The Government proposes that the provisions on the enforceability of deportation decisions be amended so as to allow certain deportation decisions that concern public order and security to be enforced more quickly than at present. The bill does not apply to refusal of entry of foreign nationals.

The Government submitted a legislative proposal on the matter to Parliament on 28 March.

Under the proposal, a decision could be enforced 30 days after it has been served, unless an administrative court has prohibited the enforcement. Currently, decisions may not be enforced until any appeals have been considered by the administrative court.

The Government also proposes that appeals against deportation decisions that concern public order and security would be considered urgently by administrative courts.

The bill does not apply to refusal of entry of foreign nationals. Refusal of entry concerns foreign nationals who have not been granted a residence permit in Finland. With regard to removal of asylum seekers, Finland is bound by the EU Asylum Procedures Directive and the future Asylum Procedures Regulation.

This proposal is included in Prime Minister Sipilä's Government Programme. According to the Government Programme, procedures will be reviewed to speed up removal from the country of those who have committed aggravated offences, those who pose a danger to public security, and any recidivists.

Inquiries:

Kukka Kruger, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 270, [email protected] (28 March)

Tiina Sinkkanen, Senior Adviser for Legislative Affairs, tel. +358 295 488 626, [email protected] (from 29 March)

Please note: the last paragraph of this press release has been amended to specify the cases to which the proposed changes would apply (28 March at 15.00)