Bosnian Genocide 1992 1995 Background The population of

Bosnian Genocide 1992 -1995 Background • The population of Bosnia was divided into three major groups: • Croats (from Croatia) • Muslims • Serbs (from Serbia) • Tension existed between these three groups • In 1992, Bosnia (which was part of Yugoslavia) declared its independence • Bosnian Serbs did not want independence • Started violently targeting the Croats and Muslims

Where? • Located next to Serbia in Eastern Europe- part of Yugoslavia

What happened? • The genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina was an “ethnic cleansing program, ” or a program designed to get rid of unwanted subgroups in the population. • In Bosnia, these 3 subgroups were the 1. ) Bosnians, 2. ) Muslims, and 3. ) Croats • The ethnic cleansing campaign included unlawful confinement, murder, rape, sexual assault, torture, beating, robbery and inhumane treatment of civilians; the targeting of political leaders, intellectuals and professionals; the unlawful deportation and transfer of civilians; the unlawful shelling of civilians; the unlawful appropriation and plunder of real and personal property; the destruction of homes and businesses; and the destruction of places of worship

A concentration camp used for Bosnian Muslims and Croats

Cities like Sarajevo, the capital, were controlled by the Serbs

Outcome • United Nations never really supported staging an intervention • Sent some humanitarian aid, but not enough • Around 100, 000 people were killed • Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of the ethnic cleansing

Discovery of a mass grave in Bosnia

Genocide in Rwanda -- 1994 Background • Two major tribes in the area • Tutsi (minority) • Hutu (majority) • The Tutsi had been in power for centuries, but in the 1950 s/1960 s, the Hutu had come to power through a rebellion • Strong history of ethnic tension • In 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF -- made up of Tutsis) led a rebellion to defeat the Hutus • Started the Rwandan Civil War

Where? • South/Central Africa

What happened? • The Hutu leader was assassinated in April 1994 • This angered the Hutus and led to them starting a genocide against the Tutsis • Genocide planned by a group called the Akazu • Tutsis targeted both for being an ethnic minority and being viewed as traitors • Ended when the Rwandan Patriotic Front regrouped and defeated Hutu government

An orphaned Rwandan child mourns the slaughter of his village

Camp for Tutsi refugees in Zaire

Outcome • Anywhere from 500, 000 -1, 000 killed (that’s about 20% of the population!!) • Led to the creation of the International Criminal Court • Deals with genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes

Mass grave site for the victims of the Rwandan genocide

Genocide in Darfur -- 2003 -2010 Background • Darfur is a region in Western Sudan • History of conflict in the region over oil, scarce resources, religion, and political divisions • In 1989, General Omar Bashir took control of Sudan by military coup which angered many people and increased tensions • Rebel groups called Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) formed in 2003 to overthrow the Sudanese government

Where? • North/Central Africa

What happened? • In response to the formation of the SLA and JEM, the Sudanese government ordered Arab militias called the janjaweed (devils on horseback) to attack any rebels • Destroyed over 400 villages in Darfur and started a genocide against civilians • Murdered and raped their victims • Bashir’s government denied any connection to the janjaweed

• Unit of the janjaweed

• Members of the SLA

Outcome • Anywhere from 180, 000 -500, 000 killed • 2, 850, 000 displaced persons, according to a UN estimate • In 2005, the International Criminal Court launched investigations into human rights violations in Darfur. This led to the indictment of President Omar al Bashir in March 2009 for directing a campaign of mass killing, rape, and pillage against civilians in Darfur. • In February 2010, the Sudanese government and the JEM signed a cease-fire.

• Children from Darfur in refugee camps