The countries along the Balkan route for refugees seeking a new life in western Europe began to filter the unending amount of migrants by granting passage only to those that are fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. All others labeled as “economic migrants” would be sent back.

In a report by CBC,  a growing number of Iranians, Bangladeshis and other nationalities from Asia and Africa have gathered in the Greek town of Idomeni.  These migrants who have been stranded have spent days sitting on the train tracks to block the trains, begging to be allowed in as many held signs or shouted “Freedom!”  “We are not terrorists!” and “We are not going back!”

About 1,300 people demonstrated for about four days but the numbers have dwindled as the migrants have given up and searching other paths to gain access into Europe.

Declaring a hunger strike and stripped to the waist, one Iranian man, sewed his lips together with nylon and sat down in front of lines of Macedonian riot police.

Asked by Reuters where he wanted to go, the man, a 34-year-old electrical engineer named Hamid, said: “To any free country in the world. I cannot go back. I will be hanged.”

ABC has estimated that about 500,000 refugees have transited through Macedonia in 2015.

According to many news reports, the temperatures are beginning to drop on the northern routes for these refugees and it is expected to be a harsh winter.  Relief agencies are scrambling to fill the need for shelter, clothing, food and warmth, but fears there will be many that will freeze to death in the coming months.