Srebrenica massacre

Srebrenica massacre
Michael Büker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Conflict	Srebrenica massacre
Date	July 1995
Place	Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Srebrenica massacre. The Srebrenica massacre was a genocidal atrocity that occurred in July 1995, during the Bosnian War, in the town of Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Bosnian Serb forces, led by Ratko Mladić and supported by the Army of Republika Srpska, killed over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, mostly from the Srebrenica and Žepa enclaves, which were under the protection of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) led by Dutchbat. The massacre was carried out in coordination with the Scorpions, a Serbian paramilitary unit, and was facilitated by the inaction of the United Nations Security Council and the failure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to intervene. The events leading up to the massacre involved the Siege of Sarajevo, the Battle of Vukovar, and the Croatian War of Independence, which all contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.

Background

The background to the Srebrenica massacre involves the complex history of the Yugoslav Wars, including the Slovenian independence war, the Croatian War of Independence, and the Bosnian War, which were all fueled by ethnonationalism and the rise of leaders such as Slobodan Milošević, Franjo Tuđman, and Alija Izetbegović. The Bosnian War was characterized by the conflict between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Sefer Halilović, and the Army of Republika Srpska, led by Ratko Mladić, with the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) playing a significant role in the conflict. The International Community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), failed to prevent the conflict, despite the efforts of Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, and Carl Bildt. The Washington Agreement and the Dayton Agreement were attempts to bring peace to the region, but they ultimately failed to prevent the Srebrenica massacre.

The Massacre

The massacre itself was carried out by the Army of Republika Srpska, led by Ratko Mladić, with the support of the Scorpions and other Serbian paramilitary units, such as the White Eagles and the Tigers. The Dutchbat troops, led by Thom Karremans, failed to protect the Srebrenica enclave, despite being mandated to do so by the United Nations Security Council. The NATO air campaign, led by Wesley Clark, was insufficient to prevent the massacre, and the International Community was criticized for its inaction. The Bosnian Serb forces, including the Drina Corps and the Zvornik Brigade, were responsible for the killings, which were carried out in locations such as the Kravica warehouse and the Potočari memorial site. The Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), were unable to access the area and provide assistance to the victims.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the massacre saw a significant increase in humanitarian aid to the region, with organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) providing assistance to the survivors. The International Community was criticized for its failure to prevent the massacre, and the United Nations was accused of complicity in the atrocity. The Bosnian War continued for another year, with the Siege of Sarajevo and the Battle of Mostar being significant events. The Dayton Agreement, brokered by Richard Holbrooke, ultimately brought an end to the conflict, but the legacy of the Srebrenica massacre continues to be felt. The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) and the Bosnian Institute for Missing Persons were established to help locate and identify the victims of the massacre.

Investigation and Trials

The investigation and trials related to the Srebrenica massacre were carried out by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which was established by the United Nations Security Council. The ICTY indicted several high-ranking Bosnian Serb officials, including Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, for their roles in the massacre. The trial of Slobodan Milošević was also significant, as it highlighted the role of the Serbian leadership in the Yugoslav Wars. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also heard cases related to the Srebrenica massacre, including the Bosnian Genocide Case and the Croatian Genocide Case. The Hague Convention and the Geneva Conventions were relevant to the investigation and trials, as they established the principles of international humanitarian law.

Memorial and Commemoration

The memorial and commemoration of the Srebrenica massacre are significant, with the Potočari memorial site being a major location for commemoration. The Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial and Cemetery was established to honor the victims of the massacre, and the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Day is observed annually on July 11. The International Community has recognized the significance of the Srebrenica massacre, with the European Parliament and the United States Congress passing resolutions to commemorate the atrocity. The Bosnian government, led by Bakir Izetbegović, has also played a significant role in commemorating the massacre, and the Srebrenica Commission was established to investigate the events surrounding the atrocity. The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and the Bosnian Institute have also worked to document and commemorate the Srebrenica massacre.

International Response

The international response to the Srebrenica massacre was significant, with the United Nations Security Council passing several resolutions to condemn the atrocity. The European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also played significant roles in responding to the massacre, with the NATO air campaign being a major factor in the eventual end of the Bosnian War. The United States, led by Bill Clinton, played a significant role in brokering the Dayton Agreement, which brought an end to the conflict. The International Community has continued to recognize the significance of the Srebrenica massacre, with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing cases related to the atrocity. The Srebrenica massacre has also been recognized as a genocide by the International Community, with the United Nations General Assembly passing a resolution to recognize the atrocity as a genocide. The Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have also played significant roles in responding to the Srebrenica massacre. Category:Massacres