Europe Grapples with Refugee Crisis as Slovenia Builds Fence

Slovenia began erecting a razor-wire fence along its border with Croatia Wednesday as dozens of refugees staged a hunger strike in a Czech Republic detention center. Meanwhile, Denmark vowed to tighten its immigration policies, and Hungary rejected the European Union's relocation rules, labeling them obsolete. The actions come ahead of a planned migration summit involving EU leaders in Malta. The EU border agency reported that over 540,000 refugees had arrived on the Greek islands alone from January through October.

Key Takeaways:

• Slovenia has begun building a razor-wire fence along its border with Croatia, with approximately 1.2 miles of fencing erected by 6:30 a.m. EST.
• The number of refugees entering Slovenia en route to Austria and Germany has increased significantly since mid-October, with over 180,000 people fleeing countries such as Syria and Afghanistan.
• Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar pledged that the nation's border with Croatia will remain open, but noted that the government will restrict the points where refugees can cross.
• Czech officials have detained 7,201 refugees from January through September for as long as 90 days, with many released to head for Germany.
• Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced plans to trim the duration of residence permits to make it easier to deport people without valid legal grounds for staying.
• Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto rejected the EU rule requiring countries to examine asylum claims, stating that Hungary would not accept responsibility for any of the refugees.
• EU leaders hope to stem the flow of refugees from Africa with promises of cash and other aid at the Malta summit, but faced opposition from Senegal's president, who cautioned it will be difficult to repatriate those Africans already working in Europe.

Statistics:

• Over 540,000 refugees arrived on the Greek islands alone from January through October, according to the EU border agency.
• Denmark expects as many as 1 million immigrants to seek refugee status within its borders by the end of the year.
• Slovenia has allowed over 180,000 refugees to enter en route to Austria and Germany since mid-October.
• 200,000 Syrian refugees have made their way to Hungary after first arriving in Greece.
• Czech officials detained 7,201 refugees from January through September for as long as 90 days.

Sources:

• Reuters: "Slovenia erects razor-wire fence along Croatian border as refugees stage hunger strike"
• Reuters: "Czech refugee center hits crisis point with hunger strike"
• Reuters: "Denmark to tighten immigration rules as Europe summit on migrant crisis looms"
• Reuters: "Hungary rejects EU's migration plan, says will not accept responsibility for refugees"
• Reuters: "EU leaders to discuss migration at Malta summit"