Karkotus

Karkotus is a Finnish legal term meaning the act of expelling or removing a person from a country or from a defined place, typically by an authorized authority. It is most commonly used in immigration and asylum contexts, but the word can also appear in everyday language when referring to eviction from housing. The term is derived from the Finnish verb karkottaa, to expel or drive away.

In immigration law, karkotus denotes a formal decision ordering a foreign national to leave the country within a specified period, potentially accompanied by a travel ban to prevent re-entry. Such decisions may follow a failed asylum application, violation of residence conditions, or security concerns. The decision is made under applicable laws by competent authorities in Finland, such as the Finnish Immigration Service and the Border Guard.

The process generally involves written notification, a statement of the reasons, and a period for the person to respond or appeal. Recourse can include administrative or judicial appeals within set time limits. During removal proceedings, individuals may be detained in certain circumstances, subject to human rights safeguards. When removal occurs, authorities coordinate transport and, if necessary, provide escorts.

The term karkotus can also be encountered in a domestic housing sense, where it is used informally to refer to eviction from a dwelling. In formal housing law, more specific terms are typically used, and eviction procedures follow separate statutory rules designed to protect tenants’ rights.

See also: deportation, expulsion, eviction, asylum law, border control.