PDF - Post-war justice and durable peace in the former Yugoslavia (2012)

The dissolution of the former Yugoslavia was accompanied by a series of wars in the 1990s marked by gross human rights violations. The legacy of this violent past lingers on in this region, putting human rights and social cohesion at risk. Despite important constructive steps taken by governments, national justice systems are confronted with serious shortcomings and impunity is still prevalent. Thousands of war victims, including refugees and other displaced persons, stateless people and families of missing persons remain without reparation. The need to establish and recognise the truth about the gross human rights violations during the war is not yet a fully accepted principle.

This issue paper deals with the process of post-war justice and the efforts to address the remaining issues and establish long-term peace in the region of the former Yugoslavia. Its main focus is the analysis of four major components of post-war justice: the elimination of impunity; the provision of adequate and effective reparation to all war victims; the need to establish and recognise the truth concerning the gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law that occurred; and the need for institutional reforms to prevent any repetition of past events. The issue paper concludes with a number of recommendations addressed primarily to the states in the region concerned.