Croatia: Information on the treatment of military conscripts who are originally from Bosnia and Hercegovina
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HRV18798.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Croatia: Information on the treatment of military conscripts who are originally from Bosnia and Hercegovina, 1 November 1994, HRV18798.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac3668.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An RFE/RL Research Report article claims that it is possible that Croatian men from Bosnia were or are being conscripted into the Bosnian Croat forces (HVO) to serve in Bosnia (24 June 1994, pp. 51-52). The report further states that the Croatian army has denied conscripting men to serve in Bosnia but claims that "between 1,500 and 2,000 demobilized Croat soldiers of Bosnian ancestry 'volunteered' to fight in Bosnia" (ibid.). The attached reports from UPI and Amnesty International also mention Croatians of Bosnian origin being sent to Bosnia (UPI 30 Dec. 1993; Amnesty International June 1994, 12). Both reports also claim that men who refused to go to serve in Bosnia were subject to punishment (ibid.).
A report in The New York Times in June 1993 mentions the forced conscription of 13 Bosnian Muslims into the Croatian army (23 June 1993).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Amnesty International. June 1994. Concerns in Europe: November 1993 April 1994. (AI Index: EUR 01/02/94). London: Amnesty International.
The New York Times. 23 June 1993. "Civil War Takes its Toll on Sarajevo." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Research Institute. 24 June 1994. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 25. Fabian Schmidt. "The Former Yugoslavia: Refugees and War Resisters."
Attachment
Amnesty International. June 1994. Concerns in Europe: November 1993 April 1994. (AI Index: EUR 01/02/94). London: Amnesty International, p. 12.
Christian Science Monitor. 6 January 1994. Laura Pitter. "Croatian Conscripts Tell of Bosnian Duty." (NEXIS)
The Daily Telegraph. 7 January 1994. Adrian Brown. "Exiles Drafted to Defend 'Homeland'." (NEXIS)
Los Angeles Times. 18 January 1994. Home Edition. Carol J. Williams. "Lampoon is No Joke to Croatia's Rulers; the Feral Tribune Finds Humor Amid Poverty, War and Oppression, But the Government Isn't Laughing." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 23 June 1993. Late Edition-Final. "Civil War Takes its Toll on Sarajevo." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Research Institute. 24 June 1994. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 25. Fabian Schmidt. "The Former Yugoslavia: Refugees and War Resisters," pp. 47, 51-52.
United Press International (UPI). 30 December 1993. BC Cycle. "Croatia Accused of Drafting Croats for Bosnian War." (NEXIS)
Other Sources Consulted
oral sources in Croatia.
