Srebrenica Massacre

Definition

The Srebrenica Massacre refers to the systematic killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995 during the Bosnian War. This tragic event is often cited as one of the most horrific acts of genocide in Europe since World War II and highlights the brutal ethnic conflicts that erupted during this period, particularly in the context of the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, as well as the international community's responses to such atrocities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Srebrenica Massacre occurred between July 11 and July 22, 1995, during which Bosnian Serb forces overran the UN-protected enclave of Srebrenica.
2. The massacre is recognized as an act of genocide by several international courts, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
3. The victims were primarily men and boys who were separated from women and younger children when Bosnian Serb forces captured the town.
4. Efforts by Dutch peacekeepers to protect Srebrenica were undermined, leading to accusations of international negligence in preventing the massacre.
5. The aftermath of the massacre prompted increased international intervention and played a significant role in shaping peace agreements that ended the Bosnian War.

Review Questions

• What were the immediate causes and events that led to the Srebrenica Massacre during the Bosnian War?
  • The Srebrenica Massacre was precipitated by the ongoing conflict in Bosnia between Bosnian Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. In July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces launched an offensive to capture Srebrenica, which was a designated UN safe area. The failure of Dutch peacekeepers to provide adequate protection for the civilians and the lack of timely international intervention allowed for the mass killing to occur. This tragic event highlights the consequences of ethnic tensions that had escalated throughout the war.
• Discuss how the Srebrenica Massacre influenced international perceptions of intervention in conflicts marked by ethnic violence.
  • The Srebrenica Massacre significantly shifted international views on intervention in ethnic conflicts. The sheer scale of the atrocities shocked global leaders and public opinion alike. Following the massacre, there was a growing consensus that more robust actions were necessary to prevent similar events from occurring in the future. This led to changes in policies regarding humanitarian intervention and established a precedent for international involvement in conflicts characterized by genocide and ethnic cleansing.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Srebrenica Massacre on post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina and its impact on contemporary European politics.
  • The long-term implications of the Srebrenica Massacre have profoundly affected post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina's political landscape. The massacre deepened ethnic divisions and fostered a sense of mistrust among different groups within Bosnia. It also prompted ongoing debates about justice and reconciliation, with many victims' families seeking accountability for those responsible for war crimes. Moreover, it has impacted contemporary European politics by emphasizing the need for effective mechanisms to address human rights violations and ensuring that similar atrocities are prevented in future conflicts within Europe.

Related terms

Bosnian War:

A conflict that took place between 1992 and 1995, primarily involving Bosnian Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, which resulted in significant ethnic cleansing and war crimes.

Genocide: The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, ethnic, national, or religious group, exemplified by the Srebrenica Massacre.

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY): A court established by the United Nations to prosecute serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars, including the Srebrenica Massacre.