– Import bans that are explicit and established by law can help businesses and consumers make responsible choices. Palestinians are suffering from the longest occupation in modern history and Israeli policies that systematically breach international law and violate human rights. We must stop supporting the illegal Israeli settlements, Ms Honkasalo states.
The motion proposes a ban on the import of goods from regions where occupying powers practice serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights agreements.
The motion proposes a ban on the import of goods from regions where occupying powers practice serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights agreements. The aim is to prevent enabling business activities that may directly or indirectly provide the means for such violations. A list of regions that comply with the criteria would be issued through a Government Decree, based on the framework provided by the proposed act.
– The most blatant examples include cases where the homes of people living in the region are demolished and the residents deported or forcibly removed to make way for illegal settlements by the occupying power. This violates international law, the approval of the international community and the self-determination rights of the peoples in the area.
Finland stands among the defenders of international law, is committed to the universal values of the United Nations and actively upholds international law, democracy and human rights.
The supervision of the import ban would fall under the remit of Finnish Customs. Breaches of the ban would be punishable according to regulations of the Criminal Code of Finland on smuggling, petty smuggling, unlawful dealing in imported goods and petty unlawful dealing in imported goods.
– Finland stands among the defenders of international law, is committed to the universal values of the United Nations and actively upholds international law, democracy and human rights. It is therefore our duty to stop enabling business activities that provide support for the economies of international law breaching occupying powers from causing or exacerbating human rights violations in the occupied regions.
Ms Honkasalo gathers signatures from the MPs of Finland for the motion until 1 February 2022.
Attached the legislative motion in its entirety: