Summary:

Helsingin Sanomat writes in an editorial that tightening the rules for uniting refugee families has become a symbol of the Sipilä government’s immigration and asylum policy. The policy was already tightened by Jyrki Katainen’s government, and now Sipilä’s government holds on to the promise that the criteria for uniting families will be redefined according to the EU directive. However, it’s not a given that the changes are made in the spirit of the EU directive. The purpose of the directive is to guarantee foreigners the right to a family life and to ensure that children are allowed to live with their parents. However, the Finnish government uses it to rationalize significant restrictions, even so that the right to a family is based on income. It is particularly alarming that the income requirements also apply to children.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition) 

Date: 7.6.2016

Journalist: 

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