Bosnian GenocideBosnian Genocide

Summary of Genocide - TimelineSummary of Genocide - Timeline

1991

1991: Republics of Slovenia and Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia

July 11-19, 1995: Srebrenica genocide: Bosnian Serb forced killed over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.

Summer 1995: Bosnian Serb army prepared to “capture and cleanse” the 3 towns in eastern Bosnia, declared as “safe havens” by the international community in 1993.

1996

1992: Bosnia’s independence from Yugoslavia recognized by the US and European Union

December 1995: Peace agreement negotiated in Dayton, Ohio known as the Dayton Accords

August 1995: NATO intervention: 3 weeks bombing on Bosnian Serb positions

May 25, 1993: The UN Security Council establishes the ICTY

MapMap

BackgroundBackgroundBosnia is one of several small countries Bosnia is one of several small countries (about a third the size of England) that (about a third the size of England) that emerged from the break-up of Yugoslavia.emerged from the break-up of Yugoslavia.Population of 4.5 million.Population of 4.5 million.Bosnia-Herzegovina is a mountainous Bosnia-Herzegovina is a mountainous country.country.a multicultural country created after World a multicultural country created after World War I by the victorious Western Allies. War I by the victorious Western Allies. Captured by Nazi Germany in WWII but Captured by Nazi Germany in WWII but gained independence again after German gained independence again after German defeat.defeat.Joseph Tito was the communist leader who Joseph Tito was the communist leader who reunified Yugoslavia.reunified Yugoslavia.

Josip Broz TitoJosip Broz Tito

Yugoslavia was a mixture of ethnic and religious Yugoslavia was a mixture of ethnic and religious groups that had been historical rivals, even bitter groups that had been historical rivals, even bitter enemies, enemies, – Serbs (Orthodox Christians), Serbs (Orthodox Christians), – Croats (Catholics) Croats (Catholics) – and ethnic Albanians (Muslims). and ethnic Albanians (Muslims). Maintained ties with the USSR and the US Maintained ties with the USSR and the US during the Cold War, playing one superpower during the Cold War, playing one superpower against the other.against the other.When he died in 1980 Yugoslavia went into When he died in 1980 Yugoslavia went into political and economical turmoil.political and economical turmoil.New Leader was Slobodan Milosevic who New Leader was Slobodan Milosevic who rekindled a lot of the religious hatred between rekindled a lot of the religious hatred between groups.groups.

Location of Ethnic GroupsLocation of Ethnic Groups

Perpetrators Perpetrators When: April 1992- December 1995When: April 1992- December 1995

Who: Bosnian Serbs, Slobodan MilosevicWho: Bosnian Serbs, Slobodan Milosevic

Slobodan Milosevic (1941- 2006)

President of Serbia Radovan Karadzic

(1945-present)Supreme

Commander of the Bosnian Serb Army

Ratko Mladic(1942-present)

Bosnian Serb military leader

Slobodan MilosevicSlobodan Milosevic

VictimsVictims

Casualties: Casualties: Over 100,000 (between Over 100,000 (between 130,000 and 150,000) 130,000 and 150,000) – Causes: Causes: Execution, torture, exhaustionExecution, torture, exhaustion

Targets: Targets: Primarily Bosnian Muslims (65% Primarily Bosnian Muslims (65% Muslims, 22% Serbs, 8% Croats, and 5% Muslims, 22% Serbs, 8% Croats, and 5% Others)Others)– Serbs – Orthodox ChristiansSerbs – Orthodox Christians– Croats – CatholicsCroats – Catholics– Bosniaks – MuslimsBosniaks – Muslims

Refugees: Refugees: Hundreds of thousands Hundreds of thousands

The Genocide occurred because of the breakup The Genocide occurred because of the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. (Former countries of the former Yugoslavia. (Former countries were wanting independence.)were wanting independence.)– In June 1991, Slovenia and Croatia (regions in In June 1991, Slovenia and Croatia (regions in

Yugoslavia) both declared their independence Yugoslavia) both declared their independence resulting in civil war. resulting in civil war.

Slobodan Milosevic ( a Serb) was the leader of Slobodan Milosevic ( a Serb) was the leader of Yugoslavia. He didn’t care about Slovenia (no Yugoslavia. He didn’t care about Slovenia (no Serbs – actually he was pushed out by the Serbs – actually he was pushed out by the Slovenians)Slovenians)Instead he focused on Croatia where Serbs Instead he focused on Croatia where Serbs were a minority.were a minority.

GenocideGenocide

Slobodan Milosevic Slobodan Milosevic led the Serbs and led the Serbs and had a huge military had a huge military advantage advantage Troops were ordered Troops were ordered to gather up mass to gather up mass Muslims and shoot Muslims and shoot them or force them to them or force them to flee their village.flee their village.

Fighting BeginsFighting BeginsCroatiaCroatia

Milosevic's forces invaded in July 1991 to 'protect' Milosevic's forces invaded in July 1991 to 'protect' the Serbian minority. the Serbian minority. They bombarded the outgunned Croats for 86 They bombarded the outgunned Croats for 86 consecutive days and reduced a main city to consecutive days and reduced a main city to rubble. rubble. The Serbs began the first mass executions of the The Serbs began the first mass executions of the conflict, killing hundreds of Croat men and burying conflict, killing hundreds of Croat men and burying them in mass graves. them in mass graves. The response of the international community was The response of the international community was limited. limited. An arms embargo was imposed for all of the former An arms embargo was imposed for all of the former Yugoslavia by the United Nations.Yugoslavia by the United Nations. (Didn’t help because (Didn’t help because Serbian forces were best armed forces in the region.)Serbian forces were best armed forces in the region.)

In April 1992, the U.S. and European In April 1992, the U.S. and European Community chose to recognize the Community chose to recognize the independence of Bosnia, (a mostly Muslim independence of Bosnia, (a mostly Muslim country)country)

Milosevic attacked Sarajevo (Bosnian Milosevic attacked Sarajevo (Bosnian Capital)Capital)

Serb snipers continually shot down helpless Serb snipers continually shot down helpless civilians in the streets, including over 3,500 civilians in the streets, including over 3,500 children. children.

Fighting turns to BosniaFighting turns to Bosnia

Serbs began to roundup local Muslims Serbs began to roundup local Muslims similar to the events that occurred under similar to the events that occurred under the Nazis.the Nazis.

The term “ethnic cleansing” was coined The term “ethnic cleansing” was coined during this time.during this time.

The GenocideThe Genocide

Police regularly Police regularly committed human committed human rights abuses in the rights abuses in the form of torture or form of torture or physical abuse.physical abuse.People young and old People young and old were thrown in trucks were thrown in trucks and shipped off to their and shipped off to their deaths.deaths.Escapees were shot or Escapees were shot or decapitated if caught.decapitated if caught.

Young child who was murdered by military officers.

Response to Serb ActionsResponse to Serb ActionsDespite media reports of the secret camps, the mass Despite media reports of the secret camps, the mass killings, and the destruction of Muslim mosques and killings, and the destruction of Muslim mosques and historic architecture, the world community remained historic architecture, the world community remained indifferent. indifferent. The U.N. deployed troops to protect the distribution of The U.N. deployed troops to protect the distribution of food and medicine to dispossessed Muslims.food and medicine to dispossessed Muslims.the U.N. strictly prohibited its troops from interfering the U.N. strictly prohibited its troops from interfering militarily against the Serbs.militarily against the Serbs.An arms embargo was imposed earlier, now economic An arms embargo was imposed earlier, now economic sanctions were imposed. sanctions were imposed. Throughout 1993, confident that the U.N., United States Throughout 1993, confident that the U.N., United States and the European Community would not take militarily and the European Community would not take militarily action, Serbs in Bosnia freely committed genocide action, Serbs in Bosnia freely committed genocide against Muslims. against Muslims.

Breaking pointBreaking pointIn February1994, a marketplace in Sarajevo was struck In February1994, a marketplace in Sarajevo was struck by a Serb mortar shell killing 68 persons and wounding by a Serb mortar shell killing 68 persons and wounding nearly 200. This got the world’s attention.nearly 200. This got the world’s attention.Because of international media attention, calls for military Because of international media attention, calls for military intervention against the Serbs began.intervention against the Serbs began.President Clinton gave warning to Serbs and Milosevic President Clinton gave warning to Serbs and Milosevic through NATO demanding that the Serbs withdraw from through NATO demanding that the Serbs withdraw from Sarajevo. The Serbs quickly agreed and a was declared. Sarajevo. The Serbs quickly agreed and a was declared. UN peacekeepers went in, to build safe spots, but the UN peacekeepers went in, to build safe spots, but the Serbs attacked the safe spots and attacked the Serbs attacked the safe spots and attacked the peacekeepers. NATO troops responded.peacekeepers. NATO troops responded.The Serbs retaliated by taking hundreds of U.N. The Serbs retaliated by taking hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers as hostages and turning them into human peacekeepers as hostages and turning them into human shields. Some of the worst genocides began.shields. Some of the worst genocides began.

UN, NATO and RUSSIA work for UN, NATO and RUSSIA work for peacepeace

1995 NATO 1995 NATO launched air launched air strikes against strikes against the Bosnian the Bosnian Serb militarySerb militaryDayton Accords Dayton Accords = peace = peace agreementsagreements

NATO began massive strikes which hurt the NATO began massive strikes which hurt the Serbs badly.Serbs badly.

BBC ON THIS DAY | 5 | 1994BBC ON THIS DAY | 5 | 1994

Faced with the heavy NATO bombardment Faced with the heavy NATO bombardment and a string of ground losses to the Muslim-and a string of ground losses to the Muslim-Croat alliance, Serb leader Milosevic was Croat alliance, Serb leader Milosevic was now ready to talk peace.now ready to talk peace.

A cease-fire was struck and NATO sent in A cease-fire was struck and NATO sent in 60,000 troops to protect it.60,000 troops to protect it.

AftermathAftermathBy the time the UN went in, over 200,000 Muslim By the time the UN went in, over 200,000 Muslim civilians were murdered. civilians were murdered. More than 20,000 were missing and feared dead,while More than 20,000 were missing and feared dead,while 2,000,000 had become refugees.2,000,000 had become refugees.This genocide was, according to U.S. Assistant This genocide was, according to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, "the greatest Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, "the greatest failure of the West since the 1930s." failure of the West since the 1930s." Milosevic was charged with genocide by the UN but he Milosevic was charged with genocide by the UN but he constantly objected to and denounced the credibility of constantly objected to and denounced the credibility of the charges.the charges.

Milosevic to face genocide chargeMilosevic to face genocide chargeMilosevic’s trial never finished, there were several delays Milosevic’s trial never finished, there were several delays due to judges resigning and Milosevic’s health. due to judges resigning and Milosevic’s health. Milosevic was found dead in his jail cell in March of Milosevic was found dead in his jail cell in March of 2006.2006.

Historic bridge reopens in BosniaHistoric bridge reopens in Bosnia

Manjaca Prison CampManjaca Prison Camp

Srebrenica GenocideSrebrenica Genocide

Bosnian Serb forces seize Srebrenica on July 11, Bosnian Serb forces seize Srebrenica on July 11, 19951995In a period of one week, Bosnian Serb forces In a period of one week, Bosnian Serb forces executed 7,000 to 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and executed 7,000 to 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys. boys.

UN PeacekeepersUN Peacekeepers

In Srebrenica, U.N. In Srebrenica, U.N. peacekeepers stood by peacekeepers stood by helplessly as the Serbs helplessly as the Serbs under the command of under the command of General Ratko Mladic General Ratko Mladic systematically selected systematically selected and then slaughtered and then slaughtered nearly 8,000 men and nearly 8,000 men and boys between the ages boys between the ages of twelve and sixty - the of twelve and sixty - the worst mass murder in worst mass murder in Europe since World War Europe since World War II.II.

Srebrenica Genocide Srebrenica Genocide

The worst massacre that occurred in Europe The worst massacre that occurred in Europe since the Holocaustsince the HolocaustSrebrenica victims still being exhumed from Srebrenica victims still being exhumed from mass graves across the regionmass graves across the region

Mass Grave in SrebrenicaMass Grave in Srebrenica

After the GenocideAfter the Genocide

Up to 200,000 men, and boys over 13 years old, Up to 200,000 men, and boys over 13 years old, were killed.were killed.Bosnian women and girls were held captive, Bosnian women and girls were held captive, raped and released when they were pregnant raped and released when they were pregnant with Serbian babieswith Serbian babiesThe slaughtering was carried out by strict The slaughtering was carried out by strict military orders.military orders.Thousands of bodies were buried in mass Thousands of bodies were buried in mass graves.graves.There are still 20,000 people listed as missing in There are still 20,000 people listed as missing in Bosnia.Bosnia.

Kosovo Crisis – Now Kosovo Crisis – Now IndependentIndependent

Kosovo is a province in Kosovo is a province in Serbia sacred to Christian Serbia sacred to Christian SerbsSerbs

90% of its inhabitants are 90% of its inhabitants are ethnic Albanians who are ethnic Albanians who are MuslimMuslim

Milosevic stripped Kosovo of Milosevic stripped Kosovo of its autonomy and established its autonomy and established martial lawmartial law

Ethnic cleansing of Albanians Ethnic cleansing of Albanians began began

NATO held air strikes against NATO held air strikes against Serbs Serbs

What’s Happened Since?What’s Happened Since?

December 1995 – Dayton Accords: Brought peace December 1995 – Dayton Accords: Brought peace to Bosnia and created to entities, the Republic of to Bosnia and created to entities, the Republic of Srpska and Bosnian FederationSrpska and Bosnian Federation

2001 – The ICTY ruled that genocide had occurred 2001 – The ICTY ruled that genocide had occurred in Srebrenica. in Srebrenica.

2007 – The International Court of Justice 2007 – The International Court of Justice determined that Serbia violated the Genocide determined that Serbia violated the Genocide Convention by not doing enough to prevent Convention by not doing enough to prevent genocide in Srebrenica. genocide in Srebrenica.

February 2015 – The United States moves to deport February 2015 – The United States moves to deport at least 150 Bosnians living in the US who were at least 150 Bosnians living in the US who were believed to have taken part in the conflict.believed to have taken part in the conflict.

International War Crimes Trial for: International War Crimes Trial for: Slobodan MilosevicSlobodan Milosevic

Tried by the ICJ for Tried by the ICJ for crimes against crimes against humanityhumanity

Trial lasted 4 yearsTrial lasted 4 years

Prior to sentencing in Prior to sentencing in March 2006 he died March 2006 he died in jailin jail

““The tragedy of Srebrenica will The tragedy of Srebrenica will forever haunt the history of the forever haunt the history of the United Nations.” –Kofi AnnanUnited Nations.” –Kofi Annan

What does this suggest?What does this suggest?

What Issues arise from this event?What Issues arise from this event?

There are echoes of the Holocaust here too. There are echoes of the Holocaust here too. – How easy is it to imagine the Bosnian conflict taking place in How easy is it to imagine the Bosnian conflict taking place in

your own part of the world? If it seems unlikely, what are the your own part of the world? If it seems unlikely, what are the conditions that make it so? Could those conditions be created in conditions that make it so? Could those conditions be created in areas where conflict is likely? areas where conflict is likely?

Issues arising from Bosnia include the huge problem of Issues arising from Bosnia include the huge problem of displaced persons and refugees - and asylum-seekers. displaced persons and refugees - and asylum-seekers.

There is also the issue of military intervention to stop There is also the issue of military intervention to stop war. Military intervention sustains people's belief that war. Military intervention sustains people's belief that armed conflict will always be the way to go. armed conflict will always be the way to go.

The UN and world leaders ignoring the whole event.The UN and world leaders ignoring the whole event.

Quick facts to write:Quick facts to write:The former Yugoslavia was a mixture of ethnic and The former Yugoslavia was a mixture of ethnic and religious groups that had been historical rivals and bitter religious groups that had been historical rivals and bitter enemies, enemies, – Serbs (Orthodox Christians), Serbs (Orthodox Christians), – Croats (Catholics) Croats (Catholics) – and ethnic Albanians (Muslims).and ethnic Albanians (Muslims).

Bosnia emerged from the break-up of Yugoslavia. Bosnia emerged from the break-up of Yugoslavia. Slobodan Milosevic rekindled a lot of the religious hatred Slobodan Milosevic rekindled a lot of the religious hatred between groups.between groups.Genocide occurred because regions were wanting Genocide occurred because regions were wanting independence.independence.Serb forces started mass execution of the Croats then Serb forces started mass execution of the Croats then turned attention to Bosnia once they declared turned attention to Bosnia once they declared independence.independence.The term “ethnic cleansing” was coined during this time.The term “ethnic cleansing” was coined during this time.

The UN and other countries did very little (trade The UN and other countries did very little (trade sanctions) until a marketplace in Sarajevo killing sanctions) until a marketplace in Sarajevo killing many innocent civilians. many innocent civilians. International media called on action.International media called on action.UN and NATO troops were sent in. Safe spots UN and NATO troops were sent in. Safe spots were created.were created.Some UN officials were captured and held Some UN officials were captured and held hostage.hostage.NATO conducted massive strikes against Serbs.NATO conducted massive strikes against Serbs.Ceasefire achieved after 200,000 people were Ceasefire achieved after 200,000 people were killed and 2,000,000 displaced.killed and 2,000,000 displaced.Milosevic was arrested and face UN war tribunal Milosevic was arrested and face UN war tribunal but died before it concluded.but died before it concluded.

http://www.unitedhumanrights.org/http://www.unitedhumanrights.org/Genocide/bosnia_genocide.htmGenocide/bosnia_genocide.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/30/stories/august/30/newsid_2510000/2510299.stmnewsid_2510000/2510299.stm