More than 12000 people have been stranded close to the borders between Greece and Fyrom when the latest European EuroSummit decided to close down what is known as the “Balkan Route” via Greece, Fyrom, Serbia, Austria to Germany. Although the decision was to change the manner of migration from Turkey to Europe, those who had already entered Greece, heard the news with a combination of disbelief and protest. As a result, many of them decided to stay close to the borders in the vain hope that the borders might open again.

During the past days, refugees have tried to walk towards the Fyrom borders, mainly to protest and ask to pass. The Fyrom police has answered these attempts with escalating force mostly via the use of tear gas and flash grenades as well as plastic bullets. 

The camp situation in the area is certainly shameful yet the fact that until now the alternative facilities were way below par added to the decision of those refugees to try their luck by staying there. There is a lot of speculation on the reason why the refugees decide to stay in Idomeni when it is clear that these borders will not open for them. Naturally, the reasons vary with the main one being their desperation. On the other hand the part of some volunteers is highly questionable as it has been known that some of them often urge the refugees to remain there and keep applying pressure for the borders to re-open. 

The Greek government is in the process of providing better camps and facilities in other parts of the country but until recently almost no one accepted to board the busses provided to take them there. 

A “dirty” scenario wants the government to be showing extreme tolerance while waiting for some incident to happen from the Fyrom police which would then serve as an excuse to evacuate the area in a more organised, even forceful manner. In any case it is clear that in the next few days, even hours should some incident trigger that, it is apparent that Idomeni will be evacuated.

C.N.