The report of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman helps the Finnish Immigration Service improve its operations

The report of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman helps the Finnish Immigration Service improve its operations

The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman has published the report "Nigerian victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse in Finland: procedure for applying the Aliens Act". Included in the report are propositions for amendments to the law as well as suggestions for improving the operations of the Finnish Immigration Service.

– We have a responsibility and readiness to identify and help victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. The report will help us improve our operations and we take the suggestions included in the report seriously, says Jaana Vuorio, Director General at the Finnish Immigration Service.

Guideline for applying the law to be drawn up, focus on training

The report includes a number of suggestions for improvement. Two of the suggestions, section 4 on creating a guideline for human trafficking and section 5 on improving decision making, can be implemented immediately. The Finnish Immigration Service will review the rest of the suggestions without delay.

“During the years, we have developed guidelines on how to treat asylum seekers who have fallen victim to human trafficking, but we do not have an official guideline for how the law should be applied. We are creating one now. The guideline will deal with how to handle human trafficking situations and be based on existing legislation,” says Vuorio.

According to Vuorio, the basis for how the agency makes its decisions is secured: The asylum interviewers take part in the training offered by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and all Senior Advisers at the Asylum Unit are trained in identifying human trafficking and making decisions related to human trafficking.

At the Asylum Unit, Senior Advisers are this year offered training in, among other things, how to identify experiences of victims of torture and persons belonging to sexual minorities. The situation of victims of human trafficking is taken into consideration when planning future training. The agency is happy to benefit from the competence of other organisations in developing its training.

The assistance system in Joutseno to be further developed, the agency’s specialists to visit Italy

The Finnish Immigration Service has for years carried out long-term work to identify victims of human trafficking. The agency’s decisions on asylum and residence permits have been confirmed by the Administrative Court and the Supreme Administrative Court. In the view of the courts, our decisions have been in accordance with the law.

In 2015, the Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service published a report on the human trafficking of Nigerian women in Europe. The report was distributed as reference material via EASO to the other EU countries.

The assistance system for victims of human trafficking at the Joutseno reception centre is working continuously to improve its services, in particular when it comes to the situation and experiences of women and children who have suffered violence and abuse.

Representatives for the Finnish Immigration Service are also planning to travel to Italy to learn about the Italian assistance system for victims of human trafficking. Up until now, the system has been trusted but during the past few months it has been the subject of criticism.

A shared goal – dialogue welcome

The Finnish Immigration Service is pleased with the comments of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.

“Dialogue is always beneficial. In addition to the authority that supervises us, we welcome feedback from other authorities and the civil society,” says Director General Jaana Vuorio.

Vuorio emphasises that the goal is a shared one: to improve the identification of victims of human trafficking and the help that they are offered.

Further information for the media:

Director General Jaana Vuorio, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi
Anni Valovirta, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi