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From protection to threat: the Finnish ‘securitization’ on instrumentalized migration: A critical discourse analysis of political language surrounding the Instrumentalization Law

Ward, Bianca LU (2025) MRSK62 20251
Human Rights Studies
Abstract
Finland’s adoption of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalized Migration (2024:482) provides the background of this investigation. The legislation was introduced as a response to Russia’s alleged use of migrants as a tool of hybrid influence against Finland. When migration is reframed as a form of warfare, it risks reshaping both legislation and perceptions of asylum rights. How politicians legitimize exceptional measures thus becomes a central object of analysis.
The research question is: How can the concept of securitization explain the legitimization of the Instrumentalization Law in Finnish political discourse?

Drawing on the securitization theory of Barry Buzan, Ole Wæver, and Jaap de Wilde, and Norman Fairclough’s... (More)
Finland’s adoption of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalized Migration (2024:482) provides the background of this investigation. The legislation was introduced as a response to Russia’s alleged use of migrants as a tool of hybrid influence against Finland. When migration is reframed as a form of warfare, it risks reshaping both legislation and perceptions of asylum rights. How politicians legitimize exceptional measures thus becomes a central object of analysis.
The research question is: How can the concept of securitization explain the legitimization of the Instrumentalization Law in Finnish political discourse?

Drawing on the securitization theory of Barry Buzan, Ole Wæver, and Jaap de Wilde, and Norman Fairclough’s model of critical discourse analysis, the study examines political statements and election programs from six Finnish parliamentary parties. The analysis shows that government parties portray migration as an existential threat, that requires the protection of both the state and national identity. In contrast, opposition parties adopt more restrained or critical positions. The results suggest that the law represents a successful securitization, while simultaneously raising concerns about legal certainty, access to protection, and a shift in focus from individual rights to national security. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Mot bakgrund av Finlands antagande av Lagen om temporära åtgärder för att bekämpa instrumentaliserad migration (2024), syftar denna uppsats till att undersöka hur säkerhetisering-relaterat språk kan användas för att legitimera lagen inom den finska politiska diskursen. Lagen presenterades som ett svar på Rysslands påstådda användning av migranter som ett verktyg i hybridpåverkan mot Finland. När migration på detta sätt omdefinieras som ett medel i krigsföring riskerar det att påverka både lagstiftning och synen på asylrätten. Hur politiker legitimerar sådana undantagsåtgärder blir därmed ett centralt analysobjekt. Uppsatsen utgår från frågeställningen: Hur kan säkerhetisering förklara legitimeringen av Instrumentaliseringslagen i den... (More)
Mot bakgrund av Finlands antagande av Lagen om temporära åtgärder för att bekämpa instrumentaliserad migration (2024), syftar denna uppsats till att undersöka hur säkerhetisering-relaterat språk kan användas för att legitimera lagen inom den finska politiska diskursen. Lagen presenterades som ett svar på Rysslands påstådda användning av migranter som ett verktyg i hybridpåverkan mot Finland. När migration på detta sätt omdefinieras som ett medel i krigsföring riskerar det att påverka både lagstiftning och synen på asylrätten. Hur politiker legitimerar sådana undantagsåtgärder blir därmed ett centralt analysobjekt. Uppsatsen utgår från frågeställningen: Hur kan säkerhetisering förklara legitimeringen av Instrumentaliseringslagen i den finska politiska diskursen?
Med hjälp av Barry Buzan, Ole Wæver och Jaap de Wildes teori om säkerhetisering, samt Norman Faircloughs kritiska diskursanalys, undersöks politiska uttalanden och partiprogram från sex riksdagspartier. Resultatet visar att migrationen i regeringspartiernas diskurs framställs som ett existentiellt hot där staten och den nationella identiteten behöver skyddas. Oppositionen uttrycker mer återhållsamma eller kritiska positioner. Resultatet visar att lagen utgör en lyckad säkerhetisering, men väcker frågor om rättssäkerhet, tillgång till skydd och förskjutningen av referensobjekt från individ till nation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ward, Bianca LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Från skydd till hot: den finska "säkerhetiseringen" av instrumentaliserad migration: En kritisk diskursanalys av det politiska språket kring Instrumentaliseringslagen.
course
MRSK62 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Securitization, instrumentalized migration, Finland, Russia, political discourse, asylum rights, critical discourse analysis
language
English
id
9209663
date added to LUP
2025-08-18 08:49:58
date last changed
2025-08-18 08:49:58
@misc{9209663,
  abstract     = {{Finland’s adoption of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalized Migration (2024:482) provides the background of this investigation. The legislation was introduced as a response to Russia’s alleged use of migrants as a tool of hybrid influence against Finland. When migration is reframed as a form of warfare, it risks reshaping both legislation and perceptions of asylum rights. How politicians legitimize exceptional measures thus becomes a central object of analysis.
The research question is: How can the concept of securitization explain the legitimization of the Instrumentalization Law in Finnish political discourse?

Drawing on the securitization theory of Barry Buzan, Ole Wæver, and Jaap de Wilde, and Norman Fairclough’s model of critical discourse analysis, the study examines political statements and election programs from six Finnish parliamentary parties. The analysis shows that government parties portray migration as an existential threat, that requires the protection of both the state and national identity. In contrast, opposition parties adopt more restrained or critical positions. The results suggest that the law represents a successful securitization, while simultaneously raising concerns about legal certainty, access to protection, and a shift in focus from individual rights to national security.}},
  author       = {{Ward, Bianca}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From protection to threat: the Finnish ‘securitization’ on instrumentalized migration: A critical discourse analysis of political language surrounding the Instrumentalization Law}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}