📚 Definition of the International Response to the Bosnian War and Genocide
The international response to the Bosnian War and Genocide refers to the actions, or lack thereof, taken by foreign governments, international organizations like the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in response to the conflict that raged in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. This includes diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping operations, and eventual military intervention.
📜 Historical Background to the Conflict
The dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s led to increased ethnic tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina, a republic with a diverse population of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Serbs, and Croats. When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in March 1992, Bosnian Serbs, backed by Serbia, launched a campaign of ethnic cleansing and violence aimed at creating a “Greater Serbia.” This campaign included the siege of Sarajevo, the Srebrenica genocide, and numerous other war crimes.
📅 Key Events in the Timeline of International Response
- 🛡️ Early 1992: Arms Embargo. The UN Security Council imposes an arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia (Resolution 713). This disproportionately affected the Bosnian government, which lacked the means to defend itself.
- 🕊️ Mid-1992: UNPROFOR Deployment. The United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) is deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, initially to protect humanitarian aid convoys. Their mandate was later expanded to include the protection of designated “safe areas.”
- 🆘 1992-1995: Humanitarian Aid. International organizations like the UNHCR, ICRC, and various NGOs provide humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced persons. This aid includes food, shelter, medical care, and other essential supplies.
- 🚫 1993: “Safe Areas” Declared. The UN Security Council declares several Bosnian towns, including Srebrenica, “safe areas” under UN protection. However, these areas were lightly defended and ultimately proved vulnerable.
- 💣 August 1994: NATO Air Strikes. NATO launches limited air strikes against Bosnian Serb military targets in response to attacks on Sarajevo. These strikes had a limited impact on the overall conflict.
- 💀 July 1995: Srebrenica Genocide. Bosnian Serb forces overrun the “safe area” of Srebrenica and massacre over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys. This event shocks the international community and leads to increased pressure for more decisive action.
- 🚀 August-September 1995: Operation Deliberate Force. NATO launches a sustained air campaign (Operation Deliberate Force) against Bosnian Serb military targets. This campaign, combined with a ground offensive by the Bosnian Army and Croatian Army, forces the Bosnian Serbs to the negotiating table.
- 🤝 November 1995: Dayton Agreement. The Dayton Agreement is signed in Dayton, Ohio, bringing an end to the Bosnian War. The agreement establishes Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state composed of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (primarily Bosniak and Croat) and Republika Srpska (primarily Serb).
🌍 Real-World Examples of International Involvement
- 🇳🇱 Dutchbat in Srebrenica: The Dutchbat battalion of UNPROFOR was responsible for protecting Srebrenica. Their failure to prevent the genocide remains a controversial and tragic example of the limitations of peacekeeping operations.
- ✈️ NATO's Operation Deny Flight: This operation aimed to enforce a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. While it had some success in limiting air operations, it did not prevent ground-based atrocities.
- ⚖️ International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY): Established by the UN, the ICTY prosecuted individuals responsible for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
🔑 Key Principles Guiding the Response
- 🛡️ Sovereignty: The principle of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- ☮️ Peacekeeping: Deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to maintain peace and security.
- 🤝 Humanitarianism: Providing humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the conflict.
- 🏛️ International Justice: Holding individuals accountable for war crimes and other atrocities.
🏁 Conclusion
The international response to the Bosnian War and Genocide was a complex and often controversial undertaking. While humanitarian aid and peacekeeping efforts provided some relief to the victims of the conflict, the international community’s failure to prevent the Srebrenica genocide remains a stark reminder of the limitations of international intervention. The Dayton Agreement ultimately brought an end to the war, but the legacy of the conflict continues to shape Bosnia and Herzegovina today.