The combined effects of the amendments to the Aliens Act and the practices of applying the Act with regard to the status of those requesting and receiving international protection

As far as international protection is concerned, amendments to the Aliens Act (301/2004) have been prepared in recent years as separate projects. So far, the combined effects of the changes on the status of applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection have not been examined as a whole. The numerous, separate amendments make it difficult to get an overall picture of the situation. This research project will study as to how the amendments to the Aliens Act and the practices of applying the Act have affected the legal status of applicants and beneficiaries of international protection. It will review in particular the impact of the amendments on the status and best interests of the child. The project will focus on amendments that were adopted or that entered into force during the previous government term (2015–2019).

The research report was published 16 February 2021. Link to the report (in Finnish, with an abstract in English).

Researchers:

Elina Pirjatanniemi, Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University
Kristiina Vainio, Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University
Anne Alvesalo-Kuusi, Faculty of Law, University of Turku
Maija Helminen, Faculty of Law, University of Turku
Natalia Ollus, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
Inka Lilja, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
Outi Lepola, Migration Institute of Finland

Project partners:

Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University
Faculty of Law, University of Turku
European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
Migration Institute of Finland

Contact: professor Elina Pirjatanniemi, elina.pirjatanniemi@abo.fi