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People fleeing generalised violence

Main problem: People fleeing generalised violence and serious violations cannot rely on gaining protection in Finland.

Main reasons: Law and its application

1) Strict application of the Dublin regulation returning asylum-seekers to first European country of arrival. This has become an effective means of rejecting people fleeing generalised violence and others protection.

2) Insistence on an asylum seeker having to prove "individualized persecution" to be recognized as a refugee or the home country to be classified as in a state of "armed conflict".

Consequence:

1) Asylum-seekers, who would get protection status in Finland, are sent back to countries where no protection is given.

2) Asylum-seekers fleeing situations of indiscriminate violence and violations not classified by Finnish authorities as "armed conflict" are refused protection.

Main groups affected: Afghans, Somali, Iraqis, Sri Lankan

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