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Thors: Finland Must Rethink Moves to Deport Iraqi
Kurds
19.4.2007 |
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April 19, 2007
Finland needs to rethink moves to deport Iraqi
asylum seekers back to Iraq, according to the
newly-appointed Minister of Migration and European
Affairs, Astrid Thors.
Finland's Directorate of Immigration said late last
month that rejected asylum seekers could be deported
to the relatively-calm Kurdistan region of northern
Iraq.
However Thors said that the worsening security
situation in Iraq needs to be carefully monitored.
She added that Finland is waiting to see how other
EU countries will handle Iraqi asylum seekers. |
Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid
Thors. |
"Neighbouring countries have a vast number of
refugees, and EU ministers are currently discussing
the situation in Iraq. We are waiting to hear what
the common line of the EU will be," she said.
Thors receives hate mail, closes website guestbook
Earlier this week, Thors closed down the guestbook
on her website after receiving threats and hate
mail.
The Swedish People's Party MP received several
comments threatening her with violence following her
appointment and subsequent policy statements.
Thors recently pledged that Finland would have a
more active immigration policy. She noted that the
new government's platform includes several steps
aimed at making it easier for foreigners to settle
in Finland.
The portfolio Thors holds is a new one, comprised of
areas of responsibility formerly overseen by the
ministers of labour and the interior.
Thors, 49, is a Helsinki lawyer and former Member of
the European Parliament. She is the former chair of
the Finnish Unicef organisation, and is stepping
down as chair of the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre.
yle fi
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