undefined | Better HN

0 pointscataflam10y ago0 comments

It's possible even with Schengen. A clause in the Schengen convention (in article 2.2) authorizes states to reinstate border checks in exceptional circumstances.

> Where there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security, these countries may exceptionally reintroduce border controls at its internal borders for a period of no more than 30 days (possible to prolong under conditions established by the code) or for the foreseeable duration of the serious threat. This action should be seen as a last resort.

source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:l...

France was actually going to reinstate some border checks from November 13 to December 13 for the COP21.

0 comments

cballard10y ago

No, I get that it's legal. But there's no... border. In the map link I posted, you wouldn't be able to tell half of the satellite view was Belgium without Google telling you that's the case.

How do you close that down, especially in the middle of the night? The US can't even do it in places with a wall.

jessriedel10y ago

Presumably you close this border like every border: by placing guards wherever lines of transportation (e.g. roads) cross it. Yes, without a physical wall this means people can in principle walk across the border by passing through private property, forests, etc., but in practice this is very inefficient and conspicuous.

jacquesm10y ago

Every one of those roads would be posted in the past, I very much suspect they'll do the same thing now at least for a while. I've driven a lot in that region and there are a few hundred crossings in all, it's not at all like the Canadian-US border or something like that, closing it off is entirely possible.

uxwtf10y ago

I agree that closing all borders physically would be tough. There would be controls on the roads and airports, but in the zone you posted a physical wall is required to isolate two countries.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse