Slovenia announced plans on January 18th to set up temporary migrant processing facilities along its border with Croatia to handle an influx of migrants attempting to enter the country illegally.
The decision comes as Slovenia has seen a significant rise in 2023 of migrants crossing into the country without authorization from neighboring Croatia, which joined the European Union’s ID check-free travel zone this year.
Temporary Handling Sites to Open at Obrežje Crossing
Slovenia’s government said that police stations near the border lack the capacity to register and process large numbers of migrants arriving across the frontier.
Therefore, the state will erect fences and place shipping containers and tents on the Obrežje border crossing to serve as temporary handling sites.
Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar said that the sites could remain for up to three years.
He vowed that migrant rights would be respected but said Slovenia must be prepared for more to come.
“The arrival of a large number of illegal migrants is expected and inevitable,” Poklukar said on January 18th.
The Obrežje road crossing lies along a key highway linking the capitals of Zagreb and Ljubljana.
Initially, authorities planned to put up a fence and three tents to house migrants while they underwent registration procedures.
2023 Saw 84% Rise in Croatia Border Crossings
Border police data showed the number of migrants detained while irregularly entering Slovenia rose 84% last year to a total of 58,193.
An overwhelming 96% of those crossed from Croatia, according to the data.
Most migrants apprehended in Slovenia aim to continue deeper into Europe and do not intend to apply for asylum in the tiny Alpine nation.
Last fall, Slovenia bolstered border control measures — including erecting fences lined with barbed wire — to curb rising unauthorized crossings.
The moves elicited criticism from rights groups about the harsh treatment of asylum seekers.
Concerns Over Regional Stability, Security
Government officials justified the new migrant handling facilities as necessary to maintain regional stability and security.
In a statement, the government said: “The security situation in the broader region shows no signs of improvement, with the situation in the countries of origin of migrations beyond the control of the state.”
The statement also cited “potential threats to the security situation in Slovenia” from terror groups as a factor behind heightened border vigilance.
Extending Controls Along Austrian, Italian Borders
Citing increased radicalization risks, Slovenia has moved to lengthen police checks along its borders with Austria and Italy — two main transit countries for migrants aiming to reach wealthier European nations such as Germany and France.
The expanded controls will remain until at least mid-2024, according to the government.
Most migrants apprehended in Slovenia aim to cross into Italy and continue their journeys north.
Rights Groups Decry Abusive Police Tactics
Some migrants who transited Slovenia last year accused local police of abusive tactics including theft and degrading treatment.
Human rights group Border Violence Monitoring Network said that migrants in Slovenia faced violence similar to other regional states like Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Road Ahead
Slovenian Interior Minister Poklukar said that border apprehends could rise higher in 2023 with the opening of the new migrant processing sites.
He vowed that authorities would balance migrant rights with national and regional security concerns amid an unrelenting flood of asylum seekers on the so-called Balkan route into Europe.