"A SLOW-MOTION PROCESS OF GENOCIDE" STARTED IN 1993, SERBS REFUSED TO DEMILITARIZE (RESOLUTION 819)

United Nations Security Council Resolution 819, adopted unanimously on April 16, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 713 (1991) and all (1992) subsequent resolutions, the Council expressed concern at the actions of Bosnian Serb paramilitary units in towns and villages in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, including attacks on civilians, the United Nations Protection Force and disruption to humanitarian aid convoys. However, according to the Report of the Security Council Mission, dated 30 April 1993, Bosnian Serbs refused to demilitarize around Srebrenica:

"The Serb forces must withdraw to points from which they cannot attack, harass or terrorize the town. UNPROFOR should be in a position to determine the related parameters. The Mission believes, as does UNPROFOR, that the actual 4 1/2 by 1/2 kilometres decided as a safe area should be greatly expanded."

"Even though Security Council resolution 819 (1993) declared the city a safe area, the actual situation obviously does not correspond to either the spirit or the intent of the resolution. The Serb forces do not appear to be ready to withdraw. On the contrary, they are today larger than when the resolution was adopted."

The Council also warned that:

"Srebrenica is today the equivalent of an open jail in which its people can wander around but are controlled and terrorized by the increasing presence of Serb tanks and other heavy weapons in its immediate surroundings. The UNHCR representative described the town as a "bad refugee camp". During the Mission’s briefing at Srebrenica, the representative of ICRC informed it that the Serbs were not allowing surgeons to enter the city, in direct violation of international humanitarian law. There were many wounded requiring surgery. The only surgeon in the city has not been authorized to stay by the Serbs. To impede medical assistance is a crime of genocide. This action, together with the cutting of the water supply and electricity, have put into effect a slow-motion process of genocide."

"A slow-motion process of genocide" started in 1993 (Srebrenica Genocide)