Handling of Syria, Iraq returnees planned

The ministerial working group on internal security and administration of justice on Wednesday adopted a report and an operating model to deal with the returnees from the conflict zones in Middle East.

The report was prepared under the supervision of the interior ministry to ensure the security of the Finnish society, said an official press release on Thursday.

The objective of the operating model is to reduce the possible risks of violence and radicalisation posed by the returnees by, among other things, promoting their integration into the Finnish society.

“First, the activities of all of the returnees while in the conflict zone will be established. Those suspected of having committed offences will be held criminally liable for their acts. There are also people among the returnees, such as children, who are not suspected of offences, but whose integration back into the society is important for the sake of security. They may need help, for instance, in disengaging from violent ideology or in processing traumas. There are many good international experiences regarding such measures,” said Tarja Mankkinen, Head of Development of the police.

To date, the authorities have identified approximately 80 individuals that have travelled to the conflict zone in Syria and Iraq. They include men, women, families and children born in the area. So far, approximately 20 of them have returned to Finland.

The report focuses on the returnees who are Finnish citizens or people allowed to return to Finland by virtue of valid residence permits. This being the case, the operating model does not address questions associated with preventing the returnees’ entry into Finland from the conflict zone.