ISLAMABAD: National Defense University held a conference on ” War Crimes in Bosnia & Herzegovina and International Justice Mechanisms”.
During a presentation, the speakers reflected on a painful but essential truth—the journey of Bosnia and Herzegovina from its declaration of independence to the brutal realities of war that has left deep scars on its people and the world’s conscience.
Assistant Professor at International Islamic University, Mr. Susic Sejo, in his address shared , the war that followed the 1992 independence referendum was not merely a civil conflict—it was an act of international aggression initiated by the Yugoslav People’s Army and Serbia, and it became a campaign of systematic violence, persecution, and genocide.
From the siege of Sarajevo to the massacre of over 8,000 men and boys in Srebrenica, the international community bore witness to some of the worst atrocities in modern European history.
From Prijedor and Foča to Višegrad and Ahmići, the names of the places where innocent civilians suffered must never be forgotten. Over 100,000 lives lost, more than 2 million people displaced, and countless families forever changed.
Well-intentioned but flawed mechanisms—such as the UN arms embargo under Resolution 713—left Bosnia and Herzegovina at a grave disadvantage. Safe zones like Sarajevo, Srebrenica, and Goražde, declared under Security Council Resolutions 819 and 824, failed to offer real protection. Despite international promises, help often came too late.
In response to these horrors, the creation of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was a historic step forward. The ICTY reminded the world that perpetrators—no matter how powerful—would be held accountable. More than 160 individuals were indicted, setting a precedent for international justice and the defense of human rights.
From Srebrenica, Sarajevo, Prijedor, and Foča to Višegrad and Ahmići, the names of the places where innocent civilians suffered must never be forgotten. Over 100,000 lives were lost, more than 2 million people displaced, and countless families forever changed.
Yet Bosnia and Herzegovina endured. Today, it remains not only an internationally recognized sovereign state, but also a powerful symbol of resilience, memory, and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Finally, Mr. Susic Sejo concluded as , “Let us leave here reminded that justice—though delayed and not complete—must never be denied. The lessons of Bosnia must guide our actions in every conflict that threatens peace and humanity. Memory, truth, and accountability are the foundations on which we must build a more just and peaceful world.”
