Foča ethnic cleansing

Foča ethnic cleansing
Title	Foča ethnic cleansing
Partof	the Bosnian War
Location	Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date	April 1992 – January 1994
Target	Bosniaks, Bosnian Croats
Type	Ethnic cleansing, mass murder, systematic rape, forced displacement
Perpetrators	Army of Republika Srpska, Serb Volunteer Guard, local Serb paramilitaries
Victims	Thousands killed or expelled
Trials	International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

Foča ethnic cleansing. The campaign was a systematic and brutal operation of ethnic cleansing carried out by Bosnian Serb forces against the non-Serb population, primarily Bosniaks, in and around the town of Foča during the Bosnian War. It involved mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and the forced expulsion of the civilian population, resulting in the town's demographic transformation. The events in Foča became emblematic of the war's atrocities and were extensively prosecuted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Background

The municipality of Foča, located in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina near the border with Montenegro, had a historically mixed population of Bosniaks, Serbs, and others. Following the 1991 Bosnian independence referendum and the rising Serbian nationalism propagated by leaders like Slobodan Milošević, tensions escalated dramatically. The strategic aims of the Republic of Srpska and the Army of Republika Srpska, under the leadership of Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, included creating an ethnically pure Serbian territory. Foča, situated in the Drina river valley, was a key target in this campaign, which was part of the broader Bosnian War following the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Events

The assault on Foča began in April 1992, shortly after the recognition of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the European Community. Bosnian Serb forces, including the Army of Republika Srpska, paramilitary groups like the Serb Volunteer Guard (known as the Arkan's Tigers), and local police, quickly overran the town. Key events included the establishment of detention camps such as those at the Partizan sports hall and the Buk Bijela power plant, where prisoners were subjected to torture and execution. The Siege of Goražde, a nearby UN Safe Area, was also part of the regional offensive. Systematic forced displacement saw convoys of civilians expelled towards Sarajevo or Montenegro, while many men were taken to sites like the Kazani pit for execution.

Perpetrators and organization

The campaign was directed by the political and military leadership of the Republic of Srpska. Key figures included the Supreme Commander Ratko Mladić and the President Radovan Karadžić, who were later convicted by the ICTY for genocide and crimes against humanity. On the ground, command was exercised by officers like Milorad Krnojelac, the warden of the KP Dom Foča prison. Paramilitary units, notably Željko Ražnatović's Serb Volunteer Guard and local groups from Foča and Čajniče, played a significant role in the violence. The Serbian Radical Party and resources from the Yugoslav People's Army provided further support for the operations.

Victims and testimonies

The primary victims were the Bosniak and Bosnian Croat civilians of Foča. Estimates indicate several thousand were killed, while over 20,000 were forcibly displaced, virtually eliminating the non-Serb population. Survivor testimonies, documented by organizations like the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and later the ICTY, detailed horrific acts of mass murder, torture, and particularly systematic sexual violence. The rape camps, including locations like the Karaman's house, became infamous, with many survivors providing crucial evidence in trials against figures like Dragoljub Kunarac and Radomir Kovač.

Aftermath and legacy

By early 1994, Foča had been renamed Srbinje and was ethnically homogenized. The town remained under Republika Srpska control until the end of the war under the Dayton Agreement. The physical and psychological scars on the survivor community were profound, with many refugees unable or unwilling to return. The events left a lasting legacy as a stark example of ethnic cleansing and sexual violence as instruments of war, influencing international law and the work of bodies like the International Committee of the Red Cross. Memorials, such as the Foča Memorial Center, and continued advocacy by groups like the Association of Women Victims of War keep the memory alive.

Legal proceedings

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia delivered landmark judgments concerning Foča. It was the first international tribunal to enter convictions for sexual slavery and torture as crimes against humanity within an ethnic cleansing campaign. Notable cases included the convictions of Dragoljub Kunarac, Radomir Kovač, and Zoran Vuković (the "Foča rape camp" case), and Milorad Krnojelac. Higher-level culpability was established in the trials of Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, who were found guilty of genocide for events in Srebrenica and crimes against humanity for the broader campaign, including Foča. These proceedings were pivotal for the development of international criminal law.

Category:Bosnian War Category:Ethnic cleansing in the Yugoslav Wars Category:War crimes in the Bosnian War Category:History of Bosnia and Herzegovina Category:1992 in Bosnia and Herzegovina