Urgent appeal: stop the discriminatory policy of Migra not to accept Palestinian passports

Finland will soon claim that it wants to recognise Palestine – but refuses to recognise the Palestinian people.

Sumud – Finnish Palestine Network, an anti-racist and intersectional Palestinian rights organisation, calls on all trade unions, organisations and individuals committed to justice, anti-racism and human rights to sign this petition.We will submit the petition to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand an immediate end to the discriminatory interpretation of the Aliens Act.

What is this about?

Migri has recently stopped recognising Palestinian passports (issued by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank) as valid travel documents for issuing and renewing residence and work permits. This decision has left many Palestinians living in Finland – scientists, engineers, health workers and students – in legal limbo, facing rejection and even deportation. The decision contradicts the Foreign Ministry’s position that Finland still recognises Palestinian passports – showing that Migri’s position is controversial even among the Finnish authorities. The decision has also been criticised by prominent legal scholars.

This measure is not only harmful; it is also exceptional and unjustified.

• Every EU country recognises the Palestinian passport.
• Finland has done so since 1995.
• The only other country to refuse to recognise the Palestinian passport in recent years is the Trump-era United States, which is trying to prevent Palestinian leaders from attending the UN General Assembly. The EU has called on the US to reverse the decision.

Is this the example Finland wants to follow?

Why is this wrong?

Migri’s decision

• violates the principle of equality enshrined in the Finnish Constitution.
• breaches the obligation to apply the law in a way that promotes fundamental rights.
• contradicts Finland’s foreign policy and isolates Finland from the EU line.
• undermine the Palestinian Authority and its sovereignty.
• cause real harm to Palestinians who are educated, employed and actively involved in Finnish society.
• sends an exclusionary and disrespectful message to migrant and refugee groups.
• damage Finland’s international reputation as a destination for study and labour migration.
• prevent the evacuation of students, researchers and children from Gaza amid famine, persecution and death.
  

While several EU countries facilitate the evacuation of Palestinian students and researchers to France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and other EU countries through scholarship programmes, Migri’s decision prevents this possibility to help persecuted students and researchers in Finland. Migri’s policy also makes it difficult to evacuate sick and wounded children from Gaza through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, as requested by the WHO.

Migri itself has acknowledged that Palestinians are persecuted as an ethnic group, although it has since withdrawn its earlier instructions. Finland must not add to the repression at a time when Israel is committing acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Migri has announced that it is reviewing its policy on Palestinian passports. This must lead to the full implementation of the following requirements.

Our claim

We, the undersigned, demand that Finland:

1. Immediately reverses the decision by Migri not to recognise Palestinian passports.
2. Withdraw all negative decisions on residence permits based on this interpretation.
3. Process applications for residence permits from Palestinians without delay.
4. Respect the dignity and rights of all holders of travel documents, including stateless persons and refugees.
5. Enables the evacuation of sick and wounded children, students and researchers from Gaza, where they face persecution, famine and genocide.

Why is this important?

It is not just about the Palestinians. It’s about equality before the law. It is about an immigration policy that erases the history and culture of refugees and immigrants and their contribution to Finnish society. It is about Finland’s commitment to anti-racism and putting itself on the right side of history.

We call on the Finnish authorities, representatives and media for truthful and respectful representation in the debate about these communities – including Palestinians who are doctors, nurses, engineers, scientists and workers serving this country on a daily basis.

This bureaucratic crisis must be turned into an opportunity:

• Deeper dialogue with BIPoC experts
• Intersectional justice
• Humanising the law

Who are we?

Sumud is an intersectional organisation committed to the full political rights of Palestinians – not just symbolic or apparent recognition. We stand firmly behind the principles of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which calls for an end to Israeli colonialism, apartheid and genocide.

As colonial oppression and the dispossession of Palestinian land continues, our struggle is not primarily about state-building. Instead, we are working for liberation, equality, justice and decolonisation. Our vision includes dismantling oppressive structures and building a future where Palestinians – and all oppressed communities – enjoy dignity, freedom and full rights.

Sign the petition now

We believe that together we can do better.
Together we can stop racism.
Together we can build a liberated future – from Finland to Palestine.
This petition is a call for decolonisation and justice from within.
Sign now. Share widely. Stand up for human rights.