Ukraine war forces rethink of asylum rules for Indigenous peoples
A new study of Sámi refugees fleeing Russian-occupied territory reveals that current asylum laws fail to protect Indigenous groups whose homelands span multiple countries. The findings suggest migration policies worldwide need overhaul to recognize cross-border Indigenous ties—a gap that affects both refugee outcomes and governments' ability to integrate vulnerable populations effectively.
Originaltitel: The War in Ukraine and Its Ripple Effects: New Agendas for the Sámi Across Sápmi
<p>This article examines the experiences of Sámi asylum seekers from Russia who relocated to other parts of Sápmi due to the war in Ukraine. Combining legal analysis with thematic analysis of the interview data, the study explores how international, EU, and national asylum regulations in Sweden, Norway, and Finland address - or fail to address - the unique position of Indigenous peoples whose homelands span multiple states. The findings reveal that while asylum law is largely state-centered, Sámi identity continues to shape both vulnerabilities and resilience of asylum seekers. Cross-border Sámi networks and institutional support play a critical role in facilitating integration and preserving cultural continuity. The article highlights significant differences in how Sámi identity is considered in practice across Nordic states and argues that migration policies must integrate Indigenous perspectives to adequately protect their rights and cultural heritage. These insights have implications not only for the Sámi but also for Indigenous peoples globally, emphasizing the importance of recognizing cross-boundary Indigenous connections in migration and asylum processes.</p>