Authorities Draw Criticism Over Residency Permit Decision

The latest controversy centres on the case of a 70-year-old Kosovo Albanian woman, who was refused residency status in Finland.

The immigration authorities' decision has stirred up a hornet's nest and brought the case of the elderly Porvoo resident into the headlines. Without a residency permit, she must now return to her native Pristina in Kosovo.

The woman's Albanian nephew says care for the elderly in Kosovo is in bad shape. And although she has extended family in Kosovo, here close relatives live in Finland. The man says his aunt is depressed and suffers from dementia.

Esko Repo of the Directorate of Immigration says the Directorate investigated the state of elderly care and other conditions in Kosovo. He said the most current information obtained from those investigations formed the basis for the decision.

Unfortunate, But Not Unique The fate of the Albanian refugee is considered to be unfortunate, but not unique. Liisa Murto, Executive Director of the Refugee Advice Centre, says the judgment seems excessive, but that it is no surprise. She adds that unreasonable decisions particularly relating to residency permits based on family ties are well known. She feels the immigration officials have held too closely to the official line in this case. Article 52 of the Aliens Act allows for the granting of a residency permit on humanitarian grounds in individual cases. However, Repo says the Directorate does not want to encourage a flood of similar cases, creating a situation where the exception becomes the rule. The parties concerned intend to appeal the decision. YLE