“Ethnic Cleansing Operations“ in the
northeast-Bosnian City of Zvornik from April through June 1992
 

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights
 This report was prepared by the following members of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM), Vienna:
 

Hannes Tretter, director BIM
Stephan Müller, project-leader
Roswitha Schwanke, organization and administration
Paul Angeli, research assistant
Andreas Richter, research assistant
 

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights

Adress: Heßgasse 1/1, A - 1010 Vienna
Tel: 43-1-532-10-50/200;  Fax: 43-1-532-10-50/250
Bank account: Bank Austria, BLZ 20 151, Kontonumber 601 585 060

All rights, including the right to duplication and distribution as well as translation reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in whatever form without prior written consent to the publisher.
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DATA 5
3. STRATEGIC SITUATION OF ZVORNIK 6
4. MILITARY SITUATION 7
    4.1. Yugoslav national army (JNA) 7
    4.2. Paramilitary Units 10
5. CHRONOLOGY 18
    5.1. The time prior to the attack 18
    5.2. The attack on Zvornik 20
5.3. The attack on Kulagrad and Divic 22
6. CIVIL DEVELOPMENT IN ZVORNIK AFTER THE ATTACK 24
    6.1. From the aftermath of the attack on Zvornik until the fall of Kulagrad 24
    6.2. After the fall of Kulagrad 26
7. EXPULSION AND DEPORTATION 28
8. ANALYSIS OF EVENTS 30
    8.1. Planning and conduct of military operations 30
    8.2. Preparation of the attack on Zvornik and subsequent civilian control
           over the town 33
    8.3. The systematic approach to expulsion and deportation 35
9. THE PENAL LIABILITY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING UNDER
     INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 37
    9.1. Introductory remarks 37
    9.2. As to the concept of "ethnic cleansing" 38
    9.3. Does "ethnic cleansing" qualify as an offense under the Genocide
           Convention? 40
    9.4. Does "ethnic cleansing" constitute a "crime against humanity"? 41
10. SUMMARY OF ANALYSES 43

REGISTER OF TOWNS 44
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 45

ANNEX I: Camps
ANNEX II: Mass graves
ANNEX III: Documents
ANNEX IV: Map of Zvornik and Karakaj