Bosnian independence referendum, 1992

Bosnian independence referendum, 1992. The referendum was held amidst the Dissolution of Yugoslavia and the rising tensions between the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina had lost power, and the Party of Democratic Action led by Alija Izetbegović was pushing for independence. The referendum was also influenced by the events in neighboring Slovenia and Croatia, where the Slovenian independence referendum, 1990 and the Croatian independence referendum, 1991 had already taken place.

Background

The background to the referendum was marked by the Yugoslav Wars and the Breakup of Yugoslavia. The European Community had recognized the independence of Slovenia and Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina was seeking to follow suit. The Bosnian Serbs, led by Radovan Karadžić and supported by the Serbian Democratic Party, were opposed to independence and wanted to remain part of Yugoslavia. The Bosniaks and Croats, on the other hand, were in favor of independence, with the Party of Democratic Action and the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina being the main proponents. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Community were monitoring the situation, with United Nations Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and European Community Monitor Mission playing a key role.

Conduct of the referendum

The conduct of the referendum was marked by controversy and violence. The Bosnian Serbs had boycotted the referendum, and there were reports of intimidation and violence against those who wanted to vote. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Council of Europe had sent observers to monitor the referendum, but they were unable to prevent the violence. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees were also involved in the process, providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. Despite the challenges, the referendum was held on February 29 and March 1, 1992, with the Bosniaks and Croats turning out to vote in large numbers.

Results

The results of the referendum showed that the majority of the population, around 99.7%, had voted in favor of independence. The turnout was high, with around 63.4% of the eligible voters participating. The Bosnian Serbs had largely boycotted the referendum, but the Bosniaks and Croats had turned out in large numbers to vote for independence. The results were recognized by the European Community, the United States, and other countries, with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President François Mitterrand being among the first to recognize the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United Nations Security Council also recognized the results, with United Nations Security Council Resolution 743 being adopted to establish the United Nations Protection Force.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the referendum was marked by violence and conflict. The Bosnian War broke out in April 1992, with the Bosnian Serbs launching a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Bosniaks and Croats. The Siege of Sarajevo began, with the Army of Republika Srpska besieging the city. The United Nations and the European Community launched a series of diplomatic efforts to try to bring an end to the conflict, with United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and European Community Monitor Mission playing a key role. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia was established to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, with Slobodan Milošević, Radovan Karadžić, and Ratko Mladić being among those indicted.

International reaction

The international reaction to the referendum was largely supportive, with the European Community, the United States, and other countries recognizing the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United Nations Security Council adopted a series of resolutions, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 752 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 757, to try to bring an end to the conflict. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Western European Union also played a role in the international response, with NATO Secretary General Manfred Wörner and Western European Union Secretary-General Willem van Eekelen being involved in the diplomatic efforts. The Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League also supported the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia being among the first countries to recognize the new state. Category:1992 referendums