A group of social activists from various sectors of Finnish society have signed a petition calling on Petteri Orpo's (NCP) government to row back on plans to amend the country's border law.
The government's so-called 'pushback' legislation is a reaction to Russia's strategy of instrumentalised migration, as the aim of the bill is to prevent people attempting to cross the eastern border from seeking asylum.
The petition opposing the law reform has been signed by university professors, writers and artists — with 18 signatories in total.
It states that the government's plans are in contravention of Finnish law, the Finnish constitution, and Finland's commitment to international law.
The petition adds that the law change would not improve Finland's security, and would instead be a victory for Russia's campaign of hybrid influencing.
Kari Enqvist, a professor of cosmology in the Department of Physical Sciences at the University of Helsinki and a signatory to the petition, noted that legal scholars have also voiced concerns about the bill.
"Legal experts have quite extensively questioned the legal basis of this draft law, especially in relation to various international treaties on human rights," Enqvist said.
He further cited the debate within Finland around the burden as well as the decision-making power the law would give to individual border authorities. This has been reflected in the Border Security Union — a body that represents border guard personnel — publicly stating its concerns about the legal security offered to its members if the law came into force.
"The bill is a dubious one and it might be a good idea to take a time-out and think about it again," Enqvist said, adding that Finland should not react hastily to Russia's provocations.
If passed, the bill would allow the government, under certain conditions, to limit the amount of people granted asylum at a designated area of the border.
However, in order to pass into law, the bill must gain the support of five-sixths of Parliament — meaning the government would need support from opposition parties.