The Finnish Immigration Service (MIGRI) has stopped the issuance of negative decision to asylum seekers from Afghanistan over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
In a tweet on Monday, MIGRI stated that it had stopped handing down negative asylum decisions to Afghan nationals for the meantime and had halted deportations to Afghanistan as of Friday 9 July.
This means that, in theory, any Afghan asylum seekers with pending claims or who were facing imminent removal from Finland should be able to remain in the country. The move from Migri comes immediately after the Afghan government announced that it would no longer be accepting returned refugees from Europe due to the worsening security situation, Helsinki Times reported.
The decision by Migri, however, does not mean that Afghans will automatically receive a positive asylum decision. Applicants will instead face longer waits from Migri to rule on their case.
Recall US and NATO-backed troops have completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan, paving way for Taliban’s entrance which has triggered violence,killings, and acts of terrorism in many places. It was reported that the Taliban had taken control of 85 percent of territory in Afghanistan.
The Finnish Immigration Service is currently processing some 350 applications from Afghan asylum seekers.
