Medjugorje Agreement

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Medjugorje Agreement
Date: 18 May 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: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: Copy unsigned, parties listed as President Tudjman; Mr Izetbegovic; Mr Boban
Third parties: Copy unsigned, listed in attendance at meeting: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark; Minister of Defence of Spain, Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia
Description: This agreement provides for implementation modalities of the Vance-Owen plan, and previous ceasefire and military agreements between the HVO and BH Army. These modalities include organising proportional temporary provincial government in Mostar, Travnik and Zenica, a ceasefire from 19 May, appointing a temporary commissioner for human rights, and organising a joint command structure.

Agreement document: BA_930518_Medjugorje Agreement.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: No specific mention.
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): Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→Temporary new institutions
Page 1, I, Temporary provincial government
The temporary provincial government of the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica shall be organised immediately in accordance with the following pattern (see the paragraph of the Agreement on the provisional administration).
MOSTAR: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, three Muslims and two open /posts/; TRAVNIK: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, four Muslims and one open post; ZENICA: Governor a Muslim, vice-governor a Croat; the make-up of the governing body: six Muslims, two Croats and two open posts...

Page 2, V, Central government
It has been agreed that, in accordance with the existing organisation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the following changes should be made:...It has also been agreed that the members of the Coordinating body, although they have no constitutional power to establish a provisional presidency shall, despite that, not hold positions in the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Consequently, the appointed members shall leave their posts. It has been agreed that Mr. PRLIC shall be the Prime Minister. After meetings and consultations, Mr. PRLIC shall propose a well-balanced government, including members from the other parties, to the Coordinating body, for their approval. If no consensus is reached, the co-chairmen of the MKBJ /International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia/ shall be invited to resolve the differences.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: Power sharing→Political power sharing→Executive coalition
Sub-state level
Page 1, I, Temporary provincial government
The temporary provincial government of the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica shall be organised immediately in accordance with the following pattern (see the paragraph of the Agreement on the provisional administration).
MOSTAR: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, three Muslims and two open /posts/; TRAVNIK: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, four Muslims and one open post; ZENICA: Governor a Muslim, vice-governor a Croat; the make-up of the governing body: six Muslims, two Croats and two open posts...
Territorial power sharing: Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Local/municipal government
Page 1, I, Temporary provincial government
The temporary provincial government of the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica shall be organised immediately in accordance with the following pattern (see the paragraph of the Agreement on the provisional administration).
MOSTAR: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, three Muslims and two open /posts/; TRAVNIK: Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim; make-up of the governing body: five Croats, four Muslims and one open post; ZENICA: Governor a Muslim, vice-governor a Croat; the make-up of the governing body: six Muslims, two Croats and two open posts...

Page 1, I, Temporary provincial government
...The provincial police shall be under the control of the provincial government, and its composition shall be in accordance with the structure of the population based on the 1991 census (see paragraph g of the Agreement on the provisional administration).
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Joint command structures
Page 2, VI, Military agreement
...Furthermore, once the situation in the country is settled down, they shall organise the structure of the joint command pursuant to the provisions of the agreement of 25 April. They have also agreed to work under the administration of the Military Council, consisting of the president Mr. Mate BOBAN, Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC, Mr. Mile AKMADZIC and Mr. Ejup GANIC.

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: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: Rights institutions→NHRI→New or fundamentally revised NHRI
Page 1, II, Temporary commissioner for human rights
It has been agreed that the temporary commissioner for human rights shall be appointed following the discussion and that a Mission for the supervision of human rights shall be established in the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica (see paragraph h of the Agreement on the provisional administration).

Page 1, III, Public legal officer
It has been agreed that the co-chairmen shall appoint a legal public officer immediately. It bas also been agreed that both sides shall nominate a /candidate for the/ public legal officer to the co-chairmen.
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: No specific mention.
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 2, VI, Military agreement
Generals PETKOVIC and HALILOVIC have agreed that they have still not been able to implement the agreement they signed on 25 April in Zagreb and on 12 May in Medjugorje. They agreed to do it now, straight away and fully. They agreed that the first step in that process will be the cessation of hostilities in the area under their control, that will take effect at 1200 hours of 19 May, followed by the separation of forces and a withdrawal of their forces into the barracks, as well as by an implementation of the other measures stipulated by the agreement of 12 May...
Police: Page 1, I, Temporary provincial government
...The provincial police shall be under the control of the provincial government, and its composition shall be in accordance with the structure of the population based on the 1991 census (see paragraph g of the Agreement on the provisional administration).
Armed forces: Page 2, V, Central government
...The Military Council of Four is established (see the separate military agreement), consisting of the following: Mr. Mate BOBAN; Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC; Mr. Mile AKMADZIC; Mr. Ejup GANIC.

Page 2, VI, Military agreement
Generals PETKOVIC and HALILOVIC have agreed that they have still not been able to implement the agreement they signed on 25 April in Zagreb and on 12 May in Medjugorje. They agreed to do it now, straight away and fully. They agreed that the first step in that process will be the cessation of hostilities in the area under their control, that will take effect at 1200 hours of 19 May, followed by the separation of forces and a withdrawal of their forces into the barracks, as well as by an implementation of the other measures stipulated by the agreement of 12 May. Furthermore, once the situation in the country is settled down, they shall organise the structure of the joint command pursuant to the provisions of the agreement of 25 April. They have also agreed to work under the administration of the Military Council, consisting of the president Mr. Mate BOBAN, Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC, Mr. Mile AKMADZIC and Mr. Ejup GANIC.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, VI, Military agreement
Generals PETKOVIC and HALILOVIC have agreed that they have still not been able to implement the agreement they signed on 25 April in Zagreb and on 12 May in Medjugorje. They agreed to do it now, straight away and fully. They agreed that the first step in that process will be the cessation of hostilities in the area under their control, that will take effect at 1200 hours of 19 May, followed by the separation of forces and a withdrawal of their forces into the barracks, as well as by an implementation of the other measures stipulated by the agreement of 12 May. Furthermore, once the situation in the country is settled down, they shall organise the structure of the joint command pursuant to the provisions of the agreement of 25 April. They have also agreed to work under the administration of the Military Council, consisting of the president Mr. Mate BOBAN, Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC, Mr. Mile AKMADZIC and Mr. Ejup GANIC.
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, VII, Release of detainees
It has been agreed that all the persons under arrest that are still in detention shall be
freed immediately and that the recommendations of the Joint Commission which has been established by this conclusion, shall be implemented in good faith. The head of the Joint Commission is Jan EGELAND, the state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Mr. STOLTENBERG's deputy.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Listed in attendance at meeting: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark; Minister of Defence of Spain, Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: ICTY Court Records, Prlic et. al trial exhibit 1D02404.E
http://icr.icty.org/

MEDJUGORJE AGREEMENT

(signed on 18 May 1993)

"In the meeting convened by President TUDJMAN, and under the aegis of UNPROFOR, held in Medjugorje on 18 May, attended, in the first part of the meeting, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Minister of Defence of Spain and Mr. IZETBEGOVIC, Mr. BOBAN and their delegations and the co-chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, the following paragraphs of the agreement were agreed on the basis of the determination of the parties to work towards the implementation of the Peace Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With that in mind, the parties have decided to act with the purpose of having the plan accepted by the Bosnian Serbs, on the implementation of the Vance-Owen plan to the extent possible, as was agreed in Zagreb on 24 April.

I Temporary provincial government

The temporary provincial government of the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica shall be organised immediately in accordance with the following pattern (see the paragraph of the Agreement on the provisional administration).

MOSTAR:

Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim;

make-up of the governing body:

five Croats, three Muslims and two open /posts/;

TRAVNIK:

Governor a Croat, vice-governor a Muslim;

make-up of the governing body:

five Croats, four Muslims and one open post;

ZENICA:

Governor a Muslim, vice-governor a Croat;

the make-up of the governing body:

six Muslims, two Croats and two open posts.

The provincial police shall be under the control of the provincial government, and its composition shall be in accordance with the structure of the population based on the 1991 census (see paragraph g of the Agreement on the provisional administration).

II Temporary commissioner for human rights

It has been agreed that the temporary commissioner for human rights shall be appointed following the discussion and that a Mission for the supervision of human rights shall be established in the provinces of Mostar, Travnik and Zenica (see paragraph h of the Agreement on the provisional administration).

III Public legal officer

It has been agreed that the co-chairmen shall appoint a legal public officer immediately.

It bas also been agreed that both sides shall nominate a /candidate for the/ public legal officer to the co-chairmen.

IV Coordinating body

It has been confirmed that the following persons shall make up the Coordinating body, as agreed in Zagreb on 24 April:

Mr. Mate BOBAN;

Mr. Mile AKMADZIC;

Mr. Franjo BORAS;

Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC;

Mr. Ejup GANIC and Mr. Fikret ABDIC.

The co-chairmen withhold the right to invite the Bosnian Serbs to nominate three representatives for the Coordinating body after consulting the two sides and once they are convinced that conditions exist for a productive cooperation.

V Central government

It has been agreed that, in accordance with the existing organisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the following changes should be made:

The Military Council of Four is established (see the separate military agreement), consisting of the following:

Mr. Mate BOBAN;

Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC;

Mr. Mile AKMADZIC;

Mr. Ejup GANIC.

It has also been agreed that the members of the Coordinating body, although they have no constitutional power to establish a provisional presidency shall, despite that, not hold positions in the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Consequently, the appointed members shall leave their posts.

It has been agreed that Mr. PRLIC shall be the Prime Minister.

After meetings and consultations, Mr. PRLIC shall propose a well-balanced government, including members from the other parties, to the Coordinating body, for their approval.

If no consensus is reached, the co-chairmen of the MKBJ /International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia/ shall be invited to resolve the differences.

Regardless of this agreement, the permanent representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the United Nations, Mr. Muhamed SACIRBEJ, shall continue working.

The ambassador in Washington shall be replaced and /a new one/ shall be appointed by the Croatian delegation that shall also nominate the ambassador in Bonn.

The recently-appointed ambassador in Paris shall remain in that post.

VI Military agreement

Generals PETKO VIC and HALILOVIC have agreed that they have still not been able to implement the agreement they signed on 25 April in Zagreb and on 12 May in Medjugorje.

They agreed to do it now, straight away and fully.

They agreed that the first step in that process will be the cessation of hostilities in the area under their control, that will take effect at 1200 hours of 19 May, followed by the separation of forces and a withdrawal of their forces into the barracks, as well as by an implementation of the other measures stipulated by the agreement of 12 May.

Furthermore, once the situation in the country is settled down, they shall organise the structure of the joint command pursuant to the provisions of the agreement of 25 April.

They have also agreed to work under the administration of the Military Council, consisting of the president Mr. Mate BOBAN, Mr. Alija IZETBEGOVIC, Mr. Mile AKMADZIC and Mr. Ejup GANIC.

VII Release of detainees

It has been agreed that all the persons under arrest that are still in detention shall be freed immediately and that the recommendations of the Joint Commission which has been established by this conclusion, shall be implemented in good faith.

The head of the Joint Commission is Jan EGELAND, the state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofNorway, Mr. STOLTENBERG's deputy.

VIII The next meeting of the Coordinating body shall be held during the week starting on 24 May, the same week when the co-chairmen are expected to visit Belgrade.