Article: http://meredith.worldnow.com/story/30619811/the-latest-tensions-at-greek-border-subside
Author: Demetris Nellas
Source (Relevant Background Information): New York Times
Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/world/europe/macedonia-serbia-croatia-refugees-limit.html?ref=topics&_r=0
Author: Nick Cumming-Bruce
Who/What?
Refugees stranded along the Greece-Macedonia border resorted to violence recently following the construction of a border fence by the Macedonian army; Macedonia, as well as Croatia and Serbia, are currently screening individuals by nationality and granting border passage only to those from Syria, Iraq, or Afghanistan. On November 28, 2015, conflict arose on the Greek side of the Greece-Macedonian border following an event in which a Moroccan man, banned from entering Macedonia, was severely burned by a high-voltage cable while atop a stationary train cart. Energized by the event and angered by the construction of the fence, approximately 250 refugees threw stones at the Macedonian police from across the border, sparking tension between the two forces. Greece police intervention was kept to a minimum; in response to the rocks, members of the Macedonian police force returned fire with stun grenades and tear gas. Eighteen officers were injured within the skirmish, two of which were hospitalized due to injuries associated with the conflict. The injured officers were taken to the border town of Gevgelija. The conflict can be attributed to a formal attempt by the Macedonian government to prevent what officials consider to be "illegal border crossings." A government spokesman of Macedonia expressed the nation's interest in channeling migrants through a specific checkpoint.
When? The construction of the fence occurred on November 28, 2015; conflict shortly followed. Relative to the background of the issue, Macedonia, Croatia, and Serbia expressed their desires to screen individuals by nationality around the third week of November.
Where? The clash occurred along the southern border of Macedonia; the fence was constructed near the Greek village of Idomeni on Saturday.
Why? Refugees and asylum seekers who do not belong to Afghanistan, Serbia, or Iran are not being allowed across the border and are being referred to as "economic migrants." Approximately 1,500 migrants are stranded along the border as a result of the government decision. Numerous migrants have been left exposed without proper sustenance. The Red Cross is attempting to aid some of those denied border access, yet tension continues to rise among the body of individuals who wish to cross. Certain migrants are allowed through while others are restricted behind a border, a border which recently acquired a fence. Refugees and migrants are angered by the refusal of acceptance.
Democratic Values:
Equality - the government is discriminating against refugees allowed to enter their country based on their country of origin
Justice - what action should be taken in response to the fence put up by the Macedonian government or the violent actions of the refugees/who is in the wrong?
Bias: The articles do not appear to be relatively biased; however, it appears as though the conflict is being viewed from a humanitarian perspective, thus establishing a certain degree of wrongdoing by the government body of Macedonia. Some slight bias may exist within the articles; the articles succeed in reporting the details of the conflict, though.
Image:
Construction of the Macedonia-Greece border fence.
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