Ethnic cleansing in the Bosnian War

Branjevo Military Farm Grave Exhumation

== Ethnic Cleansing in the Bosnian War ==

Ethnic cleansing in the Bosnian War refers to the systematic forced removal of ethnic groups from certain areas by means of terror, violence, and other forms of coercion during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). The primary perpetrators of ethnic cleansing were Bosnian Serb forces, although Bosnian Croat and Bosniak forces also engaged in such activities.

Background[edit | edit source]

The Bosnian War was part of the larger conflict that erupted following the disintegration of Yugoslavia. The war involved three main ethnic groups: Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Croats (Bosnian Croats), and Serbs (Bosnian Serbs). The conflict was marked by severe ethnic tensions and territorial disputes.

Methods of Ethnic Cleansing[edit | edit source]

Ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian War involved various methods, including:

**Massacres**: Notable massacres include the Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.
**Forced Displacement**: Large numbers of people were forcibly removed from their homes and relocated to areas controlled by their ethnic group.
**Detention Camps**: Ethnic minorities were often detained in camps under inhumane conditions. The Omarska camp is one of the most infamous examples.
**Destruction of Property**: Homes, religious buildings, and cultural sites were destroyed to erase the presence of the targeted ethnic group.

International Response[edit | edit source]

The international community responded to the ethnic cleansing with various measures, including:

**United Nations**: The United Nations established safe areas, although these were often ineffective, as seen in the Srebrenica massacre.
**International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)**: The ICTY was established to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, including ethnic cleansing. Key figures such as Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić were indicted and convicted.

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

The Dayton Agreement in 1995 brought an end to the Bosnian War and established a framework for peace. However, the legacy of ethnic cleansing has left deep scars in Bosnian society, with ongoing issues related to reconciliation, justice, and the return of displaced persons.