Thors: Finland Must Rethink Moves to Deport Iraqis

Finland's Directorate of Immigration said late last month that rejected asylum seekers could be deported to the relatively-calm Kurdish area of northern Iraq.

However Thors said that the worsening security situation in Iraq needs to be carefully monitored. She added that Finland is waiting to see how other EU countries will handle Iraqi asylum seekers.

"Neighbouring countries have a vast number of refugees, and EU ministers are currently discussing the situation in Iraq. We are waiting to hear what the common line of the EU will be," she said. Thors receives hate mail, closes website guestbook Earlier this week, Thors closed down the guestbook on her website after receiving threats and hate mail. The Swedish People's Party MP received several comments threatening her with violence following her appointment and subsequent policy statements. Thors recently pledged that Finland would have a more active immigration policy. She noted that the new government's platform includes several steps aimed at making it easier for foreigners to settle in Finland. The portfolio Thors holds is a new one, comprised of areas of responsibility formerly overseen by the ministers of labour and the interior. Thors, 49, is a Helsinki lawyer and former Member of the European Parliament. She is the former chair of the Finnish Unicef organisation, and is stepping down as chair of the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre. YLE