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The Slovenian army on Friday began removing the wire fence on its border with Croatia, which had been put in place to stem migrant crossings after more than 1 million people fleeing violence or poverty entered Europe in 2015.
Dozens of soldiers used cutters to remove barbed wire along the border, before loading the fence onto a truck. Officials have said it could take up to five months before the entire nearly 200 kilometer border fence – a combination of barbed wire and metal panels – is removed.
The decision to remove the fence was taken by Slovenia’s new liberal government, which took office after elections in April. Officials have said the border will be monitored by other means, but that it is necessary to prevent any accidents and injuries migrants may face as they seek to reach Western Europe.
“Immigration has not disappeared and will not disappear, but this wire was a disproportionate measure,” said Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar, who was present at the border. “Time has shown that no fence can prevent emigration, but it has caused many tragedies and people were dying” while trying to cross the Kupa River at the border.
Senior Slovenian police official Bostjan added that “the removed wire will be replaced by changes in working methods and tactics”, including increased border staff and enhanced international cooperation.
Immigrants from the Middle East, Africa or Asia come to Slovenia from Croatia via the so-called Balkan route. Many face dangers on their long journeys that often last months or even years, between dangerous sea or river crossings, abuse by smugglers or sleeping in extreme weather conditions.
The Slovenian government’s decision to remove the fence has faced criticism from right-wing anti-immigration parties. The European Union member state has reported an increase in migrant crossings in the first half of 2022 compared to last year, and right-wing groups say the wire removal is premature.
Interior Minister Bobnar has previously described the border fence as a temporary measure and said “it is unacceptable for it to become a permanent element of Slovenia’s border policy”.
The official STA news agency reported that the army will first remove 51 kilometers of barbed wire, while the remaining 143 kilometers of the fence will be removed by a yet-to-be-selected contractor.
Migrants trying to cross borders while seeking safety and a better life in the West also often face violent actions by border police in many countries along their journey.
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