Counter-Memorial
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE CASE CONCERNING APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE (CROATIA v. SERBIA) COUNTER-MEMORIAL SUBMITTED BY THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Volume I December 2009 1 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1. The Procedural History .......................................................................................... 11 2. The Real Reasons for the Institution of Proceedings against the FRY .............. 15 3. Further Developments between the Parties .......................................................... 17 4. Summary of Issues and Structure of the Counter-Memorial ............................. 19 CHAPTER II THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 23 2. Genocide Convention in Brief ................................................................................ 24 3. Obligations Imposed by the Convention on the Contracting Parties ................ 25 4. Mental Element (Mens Rea) ................................................................................... 26 5. Physical Elements (Actus Reus) ............................................................................. 40 6. Other Acts Prohibited by Article III of the Genocide Convention .................... 44 7. Obligation to Prevent and to Punish ..................................................................... 53 CHAPTER III QUESTIONS OF PROOF 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 59 2. Inadmissibility of the Documentary Materials Presented by the Applicant ..... 63 3. The Respondent’s Approach to the Methods of Proof ........................................ 71 Part II CHAPTER IV APPLICABILITY OF THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION BETWEEN CROATIA AND THE FRY/SERBIA PRIOR TO 27 APRIL 1992 AND PRIOR TO 8 OCTOBER 1991, RESPECTIVELY 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 85 2. Acts and Omissions Preceding 27 April 1992 Cannot Entail the Responsibility of Serbia in the Present Proceedings ..................................... 87 3. In the Alternative, Croatia Cannot Claim Violations of the Genocide Convention allegedly Committed prior to 8 October 1991 ................................. 128 3 CHAPTER V THE HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL BACKGROUND 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 135 2. The Independent State of Croatia and the Genocide against Serbs 1941-1945 ..... 136 3. The Rise of Nationalism in the SFRY ................................................................... 145 4. The Organizing of Serbs in Croatia (1989-1991) ................................................. 162 5. The Armed Conflict in Croatia and Deployment of UNPROFOR .................... 170 CHAPTER VI PARTICIPANTS IN THE ARMED CONFLICT IN CROATIA 1991-1995 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 195 2. Forces of the Government of Croatia ................................................................... 196 3. The JNA ................................................................................................................... 197 4. The Armed Forces of the Serb Autonomous Regions in Croatia/RSK .............. 206 5. Volunteers and Volunteer Units ............................................................................ 215 6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 220 CHAPTER VII RESPONSE TO THE APPLICANT’S ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST CROATS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 223 2. Response to the Applicant’s Allegations Concerning Crimes Committed in Eastern Slavonia ................................................................................................ 224 3. Response to the Applicant’s Allegations Concerning Crimes Committed in Western Slavonia ................................................................................................ 247 4. Response to the Applicant’s Allegations Concerning Crimes Committed in Banija ................................................................................................................... 256 5. Response to the Applicant’s Allegations Concerning Crimes Committed in Kordun and Lika ................................................................................................ 266 6. Response to the Applicant’s Allegations Concerning Crimes Committed in Dalmatia .............................................................................................................. 279 7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 292 4 CHAPTER VIII THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE HAS NOT BEEN COMMITTED AGAINST CROATS 1. The Crimes Were Not Committed with the Genocidal Intent ............................ 293 2. The Crimes of Conspiracy, Incitement, Attempt and Complicity were not Committed either ......................................................... 311 CHAPTER IX THE QUESTION OF ATTRIBUTION 1. The Applicable Law ................................................................................................ 317 2. The Principles of Attribution Applied in the Present Case ................................ 318 3. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 329 4. The Respondent has not Violated Its Obligations to Prevent and to Punish the Crime of Genocide ................................................................... 330 CHAPTER X SUBMISSIONS MADE BY THE APPLICANT 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 335 2. The Applicant’s General Approach towards the Issue of Reparation ............... 336 3. Alleged Continuing Violations of the Genocide Convention ............................... 338 4. The Submission Concerning the Return of Cultural Property’ .......................... 343 5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 346 Part III CHAPTER XI JURISDICTION TO AND ADMISSIBILITY OF SERBIA’S COUNTER-CLAIM 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 349 2. Jurisdiction of the Court (Article 80, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court) ....... 349 3. The Counter-Claim is Directly Connected with the Subject-Matter of Croatia’s Claim, Both in Law and in Fact ....................................................... 350 5 CHAPTER XII FACTUAL BACKGROUND: CROATIA AND THE SERBS IN THE RSK 1992–1995 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 353 2. Croatia and the RSK 1992–1995 ............................................................................ 353 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 368 CHAPTER XIII OPERATION STORM AS THE NEW GENOCIDE AGAINST SERBS IN CROATIA 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 373 2. Military Actions Conducted in Preparation of Operation Storm ....................... 375 3. Plan and Preparation for Operation Storm .......................................................... 381 4. Operation Storm ...................................................................................................... 386 5. The Victims of Operation Storm ............................................................................ 396 6. Destruction and Looting of Serbian Property ...................................................... 418 7. After Effects ............................................................................................................. 423 8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 433 CHAPTER XIV THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE HAS BEEN COMMITTED AGAINST SERBS IN CROATIA BY THE CROATIAN DE JURE ORGANS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 435 2. Serbs in Croatia were Targeted as Members of a National and Ethnical Group ................................................................................................ 435 3. The Victims of the Operation Storm were a Part of the Protected Group ........ 437 4. Physical Elements of Genocide (Actus Reus) ........................................................ 446 5. Existence of Genocidal Intent to Destroy a Substantial Part of the Group ....... 452 6. Republic of Croatia is Responsible for the Genocide Committed against Serbs in Croatia ................................................................................................................. 463 7. Conclusion: the Croatian Armed Forces Committed Genocide against Krajina Serbs .........................................................................................................