Finland's new government facing al-Hol Camp crisis

Finland’s new five-party coalition government is facing a fresh crisis over a plan to repatriate Finnish ISIS families in the hands of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Opposition Finns Party filed a no-confidence motion rallying the support of the Christian Democrats, the National Coalition Party (NCP), and the sole MP of the Movement Now (Liike nyt).

The leader of the Finns Party, Jussi Halla-aho, told the press on Wednesday that Finland is under no obligation to aid the women and children of IS fighters, beginning the question of whether foreign minister Pekka Haavisto has been transparent over the government’s intentions.

Haavisto denied the existence of a foreign ministry plan. However, according to officials documents dated November 21 revealed by the public news agency Yle, there was indeed a plan to repatriate all Finnish nationals from the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria.

The plan was signed by the police commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen, who has previously denied the existence of a repatriation plan. In addition, in ordered to be developed, the plan required liaisons from the Interior Ministry, Social Affairs and Health, and the Ministry of Defense, over and beyond the coordinating role of the foreign ministry.

According to the plan a charter a flight would be organised from Erbil, to Helsinki. The plane would fly in “all individuals who agreed to repatriation”, but it is unclear whether than includes men or only women and children. Once in Finland, police authorities would take the lead.

Haavisto tried to defend the secrecy of the plan said it could not be disclosed because children could be hidden in the camps to avoid repatriation. He also argued that the mothers could not be considered guilty merely because they travelled to the region.

According to Helsingin Sanomat, the focus is on 11 women and children under the age of six, many of whom were born in Syria. 

Newly elected prime minister Sanna Marin said last week that she had no prior knowledge of such a plan but that Haavisto’s endorsement meant there was “implicit approval.”

On Thursday, the government would not confirm whether the eleven women will be repatriated. Last summer, former prime minister Antti Rinne had openly committed to the return of Finnish nationals.

To add oil on fire was an "informa" Instagram poll by Finland's new Finance Minister, Katri Kulmuni: she asked her followers whether they backed repatriating "children only" or "children and mothers" from the al-Hol camp in Syria.

The post sparked criticism not just of Kulmuni - who on Sunday issued an apology - but of the entire women-led government just days after it took office.

Co-chair of the Cizre canton Foreign Relations, Abdulkerim Omer, told Yle press agency last week that he would not allow children to leave their mother and be taken to Finland alone.

The no-confidence vote will be discussed in parliament Tuesday and a vote of confidence will possibly follow.