The Dayton Peace Agreement, also known as the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a significant milestone in the peace process that ended the Bosnian War. Signed in 1995, the agreement was the result of negotiations held in Dayton, Ohio, involving representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia.
The Dayton Peace Agreement is a lengthy document, comprising 11 annexes and several protocols, totaling over 100 pages. The full text of the agreement can be found online and is often referenced by scholars, policymakers, and historians interested in the Bosnian War and the peace process that followed.
The Dayton Peace Agreement was significant for several reasons. First, it put an end to the conflict that had ravaged Bosnia and Herzegovina for three and a half years, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people and the displacement of over 2 million. Second, it established a federal system of government for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with two entities (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska) sharing power in a decentralized system. Third, it provided for the return of refugees and the reconstruction of war-torn areas, as well as the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission.
Despite its achievements, the Dayton Peace Agreement has been criticized for its shortcomings. Some have argued that it institutionalized ethnic divisions and entrenched nationalist political elites, perpetuating the very issues that led to the conflict in the first place. Others have criticized the agreement`s lack of provisions for accountability and justice, particularly for war crimes and atrocities committed during the conflict.
Nonetheless, the Dayton Peace Agreement remains a landmark document in the history of the Balkans and the international community`s efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully. Its full text remains a valuable resource for understanding the complex negotiations and compromises that led to the agreement`s signing and the subsequent peace process.
