WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIABOSNIA----HERCEGOVINAHERCEGOVINA WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIABOSNIA----HERCEGOVINAHERCEGOVINA August 1992 A Helsinki Watch Report A Division of Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch 485 Fifth Avenue 1522 K Street, NW, Ste 910 New York, NY 10017 Washington, DC 20005 Tel (212) 972-8400 Tel (202) 371-6592 Fax (212) 972-0905 Fax (202) 371-0124 WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIABOSNIA----HERCEGOVINAHERCEGOVINA A Helsinki Watch Report Human Rights Watch New York !!! Washington !!! Los Angeles !!! London Copyright 8 August 1992 by Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 92-73777. ISBN: 1-56432-083-9. Cover design by Robert Kimzey. Helsinki Watch was formed in 1978 to monitor and promote observance of domestic and international compliance with the human rights provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Chair is Jonathan Fanton; Vice Chair, Alice H. Henkin; Executive Director, Jeri Laber; Deputy Director, Lois Whitman; Staff Counsel, Holly Cartner; Research Associates, Erika Dailey, Rachel Denber and Ivana Nizich; Associates, Pamela Cox and Christina Derry. Helsinki Watch is affiliated with the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, which is based in Vienna. Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is composed of Africa Watch, Americas Watch, Asia Watch, Helsinki Watch, Middle East Watch and the Fund for Free Expression. The Executive Committee comprises Robert L. Bernstein, chair; Adrian W. DeWind, vice chair; Roland Algrant; Lisa Anderson; Peter D. Bell; Alice L. Brown; William Carmichael; Dorothy Cullman; Irene Diamond; Jonathan Fanton; Jack Greenberg; Alice H. Henkin; Stephen L. Kass; Marina Pinto Kaufman; Jeri Laber; Aryeh Neier; Bruce Rabb; Harriet Rabb; Kenneth Roth; Orville Schell; Gary G. Sick; Robert Wedgeworth. The Staff includes Aryeh Neier, executive director; Kenneth Roth, deputy director; Holly J. Burkhalter, Washington director; Gara LaMarche, associate director; Susan Osnos, press director; Jemera Rone, counsel; Joanna Weschler, Prison Project director, Joanna Weschler; Dorothy Q. Thomas, Women's Rights Project director; and Stephanie Steele, operations director. Executive Directors Africa Watch Americas Watch Asia Watch Rakiya Omaar Juan Mèndez Sidney R. Jones Helsinki Watch Middle East Watch Fund for Free Expression Jeri Laber Andrew Whitley Gara LaMarche TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................vii Frequently Used Abbreviations...........................................................................................viii Introduction.........................................................................................................................................1 Background.......................................................................................................................................19 Parties to the Conflict.................................................................................................................32 Bosnian and Croatian Forces..............................................................................32 Serbian and Yugoslav Forces..............................................................................35 Positions of the Various Sides ..............................................................................................39 The Cantonization of Bosnia-Hercegovina.................................................39 The Bosnian Position ................................................................................................41 The Croatian Position ...............................................................................................41 The Serbian Position................................................................................................46 Violations of the Rules of War...............................................................................................50 Summary Executions of Civilians and Persons Hors de Combat.........................................................................................................50 Zaklopa a.....................................................................................................50 VlaiÉ Plateau............................................................................................56 Skelani...........................................................................................................60 Bijeljina.........................................................................................................62 "Ethnic Cleansing" and Forcible Displacement ......................................63 Executions....................................................................................................63 Detention and "Concentration" Camps .....................................63 Confinement to Ghetto Areas...........................................................69 Forcible Deportation............................................................................... 71 Forcible Displacement..........................................................................72 "Ethnic Cleansing" in Serbian-Occupied Areas of Croatia and in the Republic of Serbia...........................................................75 Serbian-Controlled Areas of Croatia............................................75 Vojvodina.......................................................................................................81 Kosovo............................................................................................................85 Sandñak..........................................................................................................87 Disappearances..........................................................................................................88 Taking of Hostages....................................................................................................89 Mistreatment in Detention....................................................................................91 Skender Vakuf and Stara Gradika -- April 26 .........................91 Br ko -- May 3.............................................................................................94 Skender Vakuf and Stara Gradika -- May 15...........................99 Indiscriminate Use of Force ..............................................................................104 Bijeljina.......................................................................................................106 Mostar ..........................................................................................................106 Sarajevo...................................................................................................... 107 Slavonski Brod .........................................................................................110 Tuzla................................................................................................................ 111 Attacks on Medical and Relief Personnel and Vehicles...............................................................................................................112 Attacks on Journalists............................................................................................121 Deaths ..........................................................................................................124 Disappearances.....................................................................................126 Wounded .....................................................................................................127 Arrests..........................................................................................................128 Physical or Other Harassment.......................................................129 Obstruction of Freedom of the Press..........................................131 Pillage and Other Destruction of Civilian Property..............................132 Br ko .............................................................................................................132 Bijeljina.......................................................................................................133 Sarajevo......................................................................................................133 Other Abuses...............................................................................................................136 Misuse of a Medical Facility............................................................136 Destruction of Bridge Between Gunja and Br ko.................................................................................... 137 Status of Refugees and Displaced Persons................................................................140 The Role of the International Community....................................................................145 The United Nations...................................................................................................145 Peacekeeping..........................................................................................145 Imposition of Sanctions.....................................................................151 Compliance with Sanctions............................................................ 157 Delivery of Humanitarian Aid..........................................................160 Continued Difficulties ........................................................................163