RAB, Croatia -- Slovenia's decision to put up a razor wire fence on most of its border with Croatia, in order to control the influx of migrants, did not sit well with the local population on either side of the border.
Some of the folks in the Slovenian town of Vinica protested by placing Christmas baubles in European Union colors -- blue and gold -- on the fence. The protesters plan to continue decorating the fence in the area of Bela Krajina, local media reports.
Croatian locals near the border crossing of Rupa and Pasjak took it a step further, forcefully removing parts of the fence over the weekend.
Slovenia's new barbed wire border fence being decorated for Christmas. A form of protest by local residents. pic.twitter.com/YRm5gTAy1C— Rainer Mesi (@raineralias) December 15, 2015
The construction of the fence in the Istria region started Saturday, shocking the local population from Slovenia and Croatia alike. According to Slovenian news site 24ur, the grim view of the razor wire near the river Kupa spells catastrophe for tourism and fishing in the area.
Some folks warned that the wire is dangerous to the animal population in the region as well, and some dead animals, tangled in the wire, have already been spotted.
#Slovenia #Belakrajina citizens request constitutional review against the razor-wire fence anti-refugees pic.twitter.com/Teqqktih3v— evelina marchesini (@24immobili) December 13, 2015
Slovenia, Austria and Hungary are some of the countries that have decided to protect their borders with a fence in order to slow down and control the influx of migrants. Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar said in Slovenia's parliament Monday that the fence is a "temporary" measure in order to prevent an "uncontrolled" arrival of migrants and protect the local population.
Croatia condemned the raising of the fence, with Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović saying on multiple occasions that "wire is not a solution" for the migrant crisis.
The influx of migrants from Syria, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries that started in September, is slowing down in recent weeks. More than 500,000 migrants have passed through Croatia since then, and more than 315,000 of them entered Slovenia through Croatia. Both countries have so far only been quick stopping points, with most migrants determined to reach Germany.