Separation barrier
From Free net encyclopedia
Separation barriers (separation walls, security fences) are constructed to prevent the movement of people across a certain line or border or to separate two populations. These structures vary in placement with regard to international borders and topography. The most famous example of a separation barrier is probably the Great Wall of China, a series of barriers separating the Empire of China from Mongolia and Manchuria; the most prominent recent example was the Berlin Wall that separated the exclave of West Berlin from the rest of East Germany during most of the Cold War era.
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Current barriers
China (Hong Kong and Macau)
Hong Kong and Macau maintain controlled borders with the People's Republic of China even after the return of PRC sovereignty in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Under the operating principle of "One country, two systems", the two Special Administrative Regions maintain independent customs and immigration policies. Both territories border the province of Guangdong.
- Hong Kong has a border stretching 32 km with Mainland China (Shenzhen Special Economic Zone) that features fences, thermal image sensors, lights and closed-circuit television. The border is also patrolled regularly by police. Just south of Shenzhen River (the geographical delimitation of the border) is a strip of rural area with restricted access, the 28km² Closed Area. Currently, the three road border crossings are located at Sha Tau Kok, Man Kam To, and Lok Ma Chau, and a railway and traveller crossing at Lo Wu.
- Macau has been maintaining a controlled 340-metre border with mainland China with crossing available at Border Gate. The border crossing is equipped with 54 counters for travelers and 8 for vehicular traffic. Opened in 1999, the Lotus Bridge in Macau supplemented what has been the only border crossing into mainland China through Border Gate. Both border crossings allow access into neighbouring municipality of Zhuhai.
Cyprus
Turkey has constructed and maintains a 300 km (187 mile) separation barrier along the 1974 Green Line (or ceasefire line) between the Turkish controlled northern one-third and independent southern two-thirds of Cyprus to separate Turkish and Greek Cypriot populations.
India
India is completing a separation barrier between Indian and Pakistani controlled areas of Kashmir to prevent infiltration by Pakistani based militants. It is also working on another one surrounding Bangladesh to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration and possible inflitration by terrorists
Israel
Israel maintains two separation barriers between Israeli and Palestinian population centers with the intention of preventing infiltration by suicide bombers.
- Israeli Gaza Strip barrier - outside the Gaza Strip parallel to the border with Israel
- Israeli West Bank barrier - along the border with and inside the West Bank contiguous in parts, and non-contiguous in other parts, with the Green Line
During the 1950s and 60s a fortified separation barrier also divided much of Jerusalem to separate Jordanian and Israeli-controlled sectors of the city.
Korea
South Korea has constructed a separation barrier between its territory and North Korea to obstruct any southward movement by the army of North Korea. The border features:
Morocco
Morocco has constructed a separation barrier in Western Sahara and Morocco to keep the guerrilla fighters of Polisario out of Morocco and the economically interesting two-thirds of the Western Sahara.
- Moroccan Wall (also known as the "berm").
Northern Ireland
A series of barriers separate the two communities in Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods in Belfast, Derry, and elsewhere in Northern Ireland (UK). These are euphemistically known as peace lines. More have continued to be constructed and expanded since the Good Friday Agreement. In earlier times, there was the Pale, a fortified region around Dublin. In theory English settlement was confined to the Pale. Beyond the pale only native Irish lived.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has begun construction of a separation barrier or fence between its territory and Yemen to prevent the unauthorized movement of people and goods into and out of the Kingdom. It has also called for tenders to build a barrier along its border with Iraq.
Spain
The European Union and Spain have constructed barriers between the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and Morocco to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling.
A neutral territory exists between Gibraltar and Spain. A strip of land of width "600 toises, being more than two cannon shots distance between the British guns and the Spanish guns" would be considered "the neutral ground" stipulated by the Treaty of Seville in 1729. In 1908 the British constructed a fence at the British side of the neutral territory. In order not to offend the Spanish, the fence was actually one metre inside British territory. Even though both the United Kingdom and Spain are part of the European Union, the border fence is still relevant today since Gibraltar maintains its tax haven status. The border crossing is open twenty-four hours a day to facilitate customs collection by Spain.
Thailand
Thailand plans to build a concrete fence along parts of its border with Malaysia to keep Muslim militants and dual citizens from crossing Thailand's southern border with Malaysia.
United Nations
The United Nations has constructed a demilitarized zone to stop Iraq from re-invading Kuwait; Kuwait plans to install a new separation barrier as well.
United States
The United States has constructed a separation barrier along 130 kilometres of its border with Mexico to prevent unauthorized immigration into the United States. There is talk in the US Congress of lengthening the barrier, however nothing permanent has been decided.