Agreement on an urgent cease-fire between the HVO and the BH Army in Central Bosnia

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Agreement on an urgent cease-fire between the HVO and the BH Army in Central Bosnia
Date: 30 Jan 1993
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001)
Former Yugoslavia

The disintegration of former Yugoslavia post cold war saw conflicts which became mediated and produced peace agreements in Slovenia (where the brief independence conflict was mediated by the EC Troika in 1991), Croatia (between Croatian and Serb populations 1991-1995), in Bosnia (between Croatian, Serb and Bosniak populations 1992-1995), in Macedonia (where mediation played a key pre-emptive role in preventing large scale conflict in 2001), in Kosovo (between Kosovar Albanians and Serbian population and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), but also between FRY and NATO, 1998-1999), and a conflict in the Presevo Valley (between Albanians in South Serbia and FRY, 2000-2001). The continued fall-out of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia also saw mediated agreement and ultimate dissolution of the Union between Serbia and Montenegro.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

In 1991, after nationalist parties won the first multi-party elections in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a violent process of disintegration commenced. With its mixed population, Bosnia-Herzegovina became the centre of the following civil war that began in 1992 between the newly formed army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Muslim Bosniacs), and the parastatal forces of self-declared Bosnian Croat (Herzeg-Bosnia) and Bosnian Serb (Republika Srpska) entities within Bosnia-Herzegovina, supported by Croatia and Serbia, with various, often short-lived, coalitions. The General Framework Agreement (Dayton Peace Agreement), signed in 1995, split the country into two ethno-federal entities, the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska, and included continued peacekeeping and institutional administration by international actors.

Kosovo

The conflict between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians has a long history and always involved territorial disputes as well as ethno-political, cultural and linguistic factors. The most recent phase of the conflict began in November 1997 when the Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA or UCK) began their campaign for the independence of Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY – then Serbia and Montenegro). The subsequent war lasted until the NATO intervention, which undertook bombing campaigns of Belgrade and other places in Serbia during spring 1999. The main agreements solving the conflict were internationally driven and, finally, a UNSC resolution imposed a post-conflict arrangement in the wake of what was essentially a NATO military victory. In February 2008, Kosovo’s parliament declared independence, but independence is still internationally disputed.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: DJEMAL MERDAN, BH ARMY REPRESENTATIVE; FRANJO NAKIC, HVO REPRESENTATIVE; LT COL R A STEWART, COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH BATTALION; JEREMY FLEMING, ECMM, ZENICA
Third parties: ALSO PRESENT: JORGE DE LA MOTA, HEAD, UNHCR ZENICA; IRIS WITTWER, HEAD OF DELEGATION, ICRC ZENICA.
Description: This short agreement provides for a ceasefire in Central Bosnia, to be supervised withdrawal of forces by the EC Monitoring Mission. It provides for the Joint Commission of the HVO and BH Army to continue working, opening of routes, restoration of communication and electricity infrastructure, and reciprocal exchanges of prisoners.

Agreement document: BA_930130_Agreement on an Urgent Ceasefire.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
Page 2, 4.
All roads are to be opened for the free movement of Croats and Muslims, and in particular the UN, UNHCR, ICRC and all other international organisations shall have guaranteed passage throughout Central Bosnia. Ambulances must not be stopped by either side.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 2, 4.
All roads are to be opened for the free movement of Croats and Muslims, and in particular the UN, UNHCR, ICRC and all other international organisations shall have guaranteed passage throughout Central Bosnia. Ambulances must not be stopped by either side.

Page 2, 6.
Reciprocal exchanges of prisoners to be organised through the ICRC.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Proportionality
Page 2-3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work. Their work is to continue in the following manner: a) The work shall continue until further notice. The first meeting of the commission is set for 0900 hours on 31 January 1993 at the Tisa Hotel in Busovaca. b) The HVO and BH Army will provide three representatives each for this commission. It will set up a part of the Joint Commission which will work in the field. c) Every representative must have full authorisation from his Supreme Command to travel anywhere and have access to any military or official institution. d) The Joint Commission will monitor the withdrawal of all units which are from outside the local municipality, by 1600 hours on Monday 1 February 1993. e) After this, the Commission will be considered to be authorised for the maintenance of this agreement.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media logistics
Page 3, 9.
Both sides have the obligation to broadcast frequently the spirit and the details of this agreement, in all accessible media.
Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 3, 8.
All telephone communications and provision of electricity in Central Bosnia should be restored to their previous state as soon as possible.
Mobility/access: Page 2, 4.
All roads are to be opened for the free movement of Croats and Muslims, and in particular the UN, UNHCR, ICRC and all other international organisations shall have guaranteed passage throughout Central Bosnia. Ambulances must not be stopped by either side.

Page 2, 5.
In particular, the following routes must be opened: a) North of Kiseljak towards Visoko and Kakanj by 1600 hrs on Tuesday 2 February 1993. b) The main road from Busovaca to Zenica by 1600 hours on Tuesday 2 February 1993.

Page 2-3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work. Their work is to continue in the following manner:...c) Every representative must have full authorisation from his Supreme Command to travel anywhere and have access to any military or official institution...
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 3, 8.
All telephone communications and provision of electricity in Central Bosnia should be restored to their previous state as soon as possible.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, 2.
An urgent cease-fire shall take effect at 0800 hours on Sunday, 31 January 1993 in the whole of Central Bosnia.

Page 1, 3.
Units on both sides shall remain at their present positions, until the order for movement supervised by the EC Monitoring Mission. Both sides must withdraw all units which are from outside the local municipal territory by 1600 hours, on Monday 1 February 1993.

Page 2-3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work. Their work is to continue in the following manner:...d) The Joint Commission will monitor the withdrawal of all units which are from outside the local municipality, by 1600 hours on Monday 1 February 1993...
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2-3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work. Their work is to continue in the following manner: a) The work shall continue until further notice. The first meeting of the commission is set for 0900 hours on 31 January 1993 at the Tisa Hotel in Busovaca. b) The HVO and BH Army will provide three representatives each for this commission. It will set up a part of the Joint Commission which will work in the field. c) Every representative must have full authorisation from his Supreme Command to travel anywhere and have access to any military or official institution. d) The Joint Commission will monitor the withdrawal of all units which are from outside the local municipality, by 1600 hours on Monday 1 February 1993. e) After this, the Commission will be considered to be authorised for the maintenance of this agreement.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 2, 6.
Reciprocal exchanges of prisoners to be organised through the ICRC.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: Signed by LT COL R A STEWART, COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH BATTALION [UNPROFOR], and in the presence of JORGE DE LA MOTA, HEAD, UNHCR ZENICA.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, 3.
Units on both sides shall remain at their present positions, until the order for movement supervised by the EC Monitoring Mission. Both sides must withdraw all units which are from outside the local municipal territory by 1600 hours, on Monday 1 February 1993.

Page 2, 4.
All roads are to be opened for the free movement of Croats and Muslims, and in particular the UN, UNHCR, ICRC and all other international organisations shall have guaranteed passage throughout Central Bosnia. Ambulances must not be stopped by either side.

Page 2-3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work...e) After this, the Commission will be considered to be authorised for the maintenance of this agreement.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 3, 7.
The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives, chaired by the ECMM, will continue work. Their work is to continue in the following manner:...e) After this, the Commission will be considered to be authorised for the maintenance of this agreement.

Page 3, 10.
Any violation of any of the paragraphs of this Agreement will be considered a violation of the entire agreement.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: ICTY Court Records, Kordic-Cerkez trial exhibit 422a
http://icr.icty.org/

AGREEMENT ON AN URGENT CEASE-FlRE BETWEEN THE HVO AND BH ARMY IN CENTRAL BOSNIA

1. The undersigned representatives of the HVO and BH Anny have agreed on the following:

2. An urgent cease-fire shall take effect at 0800 hours on Sunday, 31 January 1993 in the whole of Central Bosnia.

3. Units on both sides shall remain at their present positions, until the order for movement supervised by the EC Monitoring Mission.

Both sides must withdraw all units which are from outside the local municipal territory by 1600 hours, on Monday 1 February 1993.

4. All roads are to be opened for lhe free movement of Croats and Muslims, and in particular the UN, UNHCR, ICRC and all other international organisations shall have guaranteed passage thtoughout Central Bosnia.

Ambulances must not be stopped by eitner side.

5. In particular, the.following routes must be opened:

a) North of Kiseljak towards Visoko and Kakanj by 1600 hrs on Tuesday 2 February 1993.

b) The main road from Busovaca to Zenica by 1600 hours on Tuesday 2 February 1993.

6. Reciprocal exchanges of prisoners lo be organised through the ICRC.

The Joint Commission consisting of HVO and BH Army representatives,

chaired by the ECMM, will continue work.

Their work is to continue in the following manner:

a) The work shall continue until further notice.

The first meeting of the commission is set for 0900 hours on 31 January 1993 at the Tisa Hotel in

Busovaca.

b) The HVO and BH Anny will provide three representatives each for this commission.

It will set up a part oftne Joint Commission which will work in the field.

c) Every representative must have full authorisation from his Supreme Command to travel anywhere and have access lo any military or official institution.

d) The Joint Commission will monitor the withdrawal of all units which are from outside the local municipality, by 1600 hours on Monday 1 February1993.

e) After this, the Commission will be considered to be authorised for the maintenance of this agreement.

8. All telephone communications and provision of electricity in Central Bosnia should be restored to their previous state as soon as possible:

9. Both sides have the obligation to broadcast frequently the spirit and the details of this agreement, in all accessible media.

10. Any violation· of any of the paragraphs of this Agreement will be considered a violation of the entire agreement.