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Mon, 15 Aug, 2016 12:02:57 AM FTimes – STT Report, Aug 15  Executive Director of the organisation Niina Laajapuro. File Photo – Lehtikuva. The human rights organisation Amnesty International has urged Finland to set up more asylum shelters in the country.
Appreciating the government’s assurance of additional allocation for refugee centres, Amnesty International Executive Director Niina Laajapuro said there is a need for 500 to 550 shelters in Finland, compared to the current number of about 120 shelters.
Finland has, on many levels, done a good job in prevention of violence towards women, remarked Laajapuro.
“The government has pledged an additional two million euros for refugee shelters, which of course is a good thing,” Laajapuro added.
According to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) last year there were 1,200 people left without shelter.
In the draft budget for next year, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has therefore proposed setting up 40 new shelters.
Amnesty said it wants to remind the Finnish government about its increased obligations after signing the Istanbul agreement on violence and domestic violence against women.
“The agreement calls for concrete practical measures, such as more shelters,” pointed out Laajapuro.
The financial responsibility for the acute crisis of shelter services was transferred to state from the municipalities at the beginning of last year.
The financial liability was affected by a new law coming into force during a transitional period and this, according to Laajapuro, has contributed to a reduction in the number of shelter places.
“Some municipalities have cut funding, because they were aware that the state was going to be responsible for crisis services. As a result, shelter places are now fewer,” she added.
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