Courting Democracy in Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) struggled to apprehend and try high-profile defendants like the Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević, and often received more criticism than praise. This volume argues that the underappreciated court has in fact made a substantial contribution to Bosnia and Herzegovina's transition to democracy. Based on more than three years of field research and several hundred interviews, this study brings together multiple research methods, including surveys, ethnography, and archival materials, to show the court's impact on five segments of Bosnian society, emphasizing the role of the social setting in translating international law in domestic contexts. Much of the early rhetoric about the transformative potential of international criminal law helped foster unrealistic expectations that institutions like the ICTY could not meet, but judged by more realistic standards, international law is seen to play a modest yet important role in postwar transitions. The findings of this study have implications for the study of international courts around the world and the role law plays in contributing to social change. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accessed accessed July accountability addition addressed Agreement argued armed Army associations attitudes Bosnia and Herzegovina Cambridge Center chapter citizens civil society Commission committed Council court created crimes criminal Croat decision democratic developments discussion documentation effects effort enclave ethnic example fact Federation felt findings forces foreign former genocide groups Hague High Human Rights humanitarian ICTY ICTY’s impact important indicted individuals influence initial institutions international community International Criminal international law Interview issue July June justice Konjic lack later March military municipality Office organizations Outreach parties Peace percent persons political positive postwar Press prosecution Prosecutor question region Representative residents respondents role rule Sarajevo Security Serb Serbia social soldiers Srebrenica survey survivors tion transitional trial Tribunal United University Press victims views violations war crimes