Bosnia and Herzegovina: United Nations Monitor
/- How did the UN Security Council respond to the Bosnian Serb attack on Srebrenica?
- What do you think the international response to the genocide at Srebrenica should have been?
- Do you think the United Nations should have the sole responsibility to authorize intervention? Why or why not?
S/RES/1004 (1995)
The Security Council,
Recalling all its earlier relevant resolutions,
Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Gravely concerned at the deterioration in the situation in and around the safe area of Srebrenica, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at the plight of the civilian population there,
Gravely concerned also at the very serious situation which confronts personnel of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and a great number of displaced persons within the safe area at Potocari, especially the lack of essential food supplies and medical care,
Paying tribute to the personnel of UNPROFOR deployed in the safe area of Srebrenica,
Condemning the offensive by the Bosnian Serb forces against the safe area of Srebrenica, and in particular the detention by the Bosnian Serb forces of UNPROFOR personnel, Condemning also all attacks on UNPROFOR personnel,
Recalling the Agreement for the demilitarization of Srebrenica of 18 April 1993 (S/25700, annex) by the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb party, and regretting that it has not been implemented in full by either party,
Stressing the importance of renewed efforts to achieve an overall peaceful settlement, and the unacceptability of any attempt to resolve the conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina by military means,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
Demands that the Bosnian Serb forces cease their offensive and withdraw from the safe area of Srebrenica immediately;
Demands also that the parties respect fully the status of the safe area of Srebrenica in accordance with the Agreement of 18 April 1993;
Demands further that the parties respect fully the safety of UNPROFOR personnel and ensure their complete freedom of movement, including resupply;
Demands that the Bosnian Serb forces immediately and unconditionally release unharmed all detained UNPROFOR personnel;
Demands that all parties allow unimpeded access for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international humanitarian agencies to the safe area of Srebrenica in order to alleviate the plight of the civilian population, and in particular that they cooperate on the restoration of utilities;
Requests the Secretary-General to use all resources available to him to restore the status as defined by the Agreement of 18 April 1993 of the safe area of Srebrenica in accordance with the mandate of UNPROFOR, and calls on the parties to cooperate to that end;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Statement by the President of the Security Council
At the 3554th meeting of the Security Council, held on 14 July 1995, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled "The situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina", the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:
"The Security Council recalls its resolution 1004 (1995). The Council is deeply concerned about the ongoing forced relocation of tens of thousands of civilians from the Srebrenica safe area to the Tuzla region by the Bosnian Serb party. Such a forced relocation is a clear violation of the human rights of the civilian population. It is especially concerned about reports of grave mistreatment and killing of innocent civilians. It is equally concerned about reports that up to 4,000 men and boys have been forcibly removed by the Bosnian Serb party from the Srebrenica safe area. It demands that in conformity with internationally recognized standards of conduct and international law the Bosnian Serb party release them immediately, respect fully the rights of the civilian population of the Srebrenica safe area and other persons protected under international humanitarian law, and permit access by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"The Security Council again condemns the unacceptable practice of ’ethnic cleansing’ and reaffirms that those who have committed or have ordered the commission of such acts will be held individually responsible in respect of such acts.
"The Security Council demands that the Bosnian Serb party immediately allow unimpeded access to the civilian population of the Srebrenica safe area by international humanitarian organizations and cooperate with any procedure established by those organizations to determine which civilians wish to depart the area of Srebrenica. It further demands that the Bosnian Serb party respect fully the rights of those civilians who wish to remain in the safe area and cooperate with efforts to ensure that civilians who wish to depart are allowed to do so with their families in an orderly, safe way in conformity with international law.
"The Security Council demands that both sides allow the unhindered movement of humanitarian relief and cooperate with efforts by international organizations and agencies and concerned Governments to provide food, medicine, facilities, and housing to the displaced.
"The Security Council reiterates its demand that the Bosnian Serb forces immediately and unconditionally release unharmed all detained personnel of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), and that the parties respect fully the safety of all UNPROFOR personnel and ensure their complete freedom of movement.
"The Security Council pays tribute to all the personnel of UNPROFOR, and of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, especially those deployed in the area of Srebrenica. It notes that the presence and bravery of the troops has undoubtedly saved the lives of many civilians in the Srebrenica area."