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INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJTheHague. TeL(31-70-302 23 23). Cables: Intercourt, The Hague.
Telefax (31-70-364 99 28). Telex 32323. Internet address: http:Il www.icj-cij.org
Communiqué
unofficial
forimmediate release
No. 2001122
13 September 2001
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punisbment of the Crime of Genocide
(Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Yugoslavia)
The President of the Court places on record the withdrawal by Yugoslavia
of the counter-claimssubmitted by that State
TIIE HAGUE, 13 Septernber 2001. In an Order of 10 September 2001, the President of the
International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Gilbert Guillaume, placed on record the withdrawal by
Yugoslavia of the counter-claims submitted by that State in its Counter-Memorial in the case
conceming the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v.Yugoslavia).
The Order was made after Yugoslavia informed the Court that it intended to withdraw its
counter-claimsand thatBosnia and Herzegovina bad indicated to the latter itbad no objection to
that withdrawaL
History of the proceedings
On 20 March 1993, Bosnia and Herzegovina filed an Application instituting proceedings
against Yugoslavia in respectof a dispute concerning alleged violations of the Convention on the
• Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 9 December 1948. As the basis of the
jurisdictionf the Court, Bosnia and Herzegovina invoked Article IX ofthat Convention.
In its Application, Bosnia and Herzegovina requested, inter alia, that the Court adjudge and
declare that Yugoslavia, through its agents and surrogates, "bas killed, murdered, wounded, raped,
robbed, tortured, kidnapped, illegally detained, and exterminated the .citizens of Bosnia and
Herzegovina", that it must immediately cease the systematic practice of "ethnie cleansing" and pay
reparations.
In the Counter·Memorial filed on 22 July 1997, Yugoslavia submitted counter·claims
requesting the Court to adjudge and declare thatosnia and Herzegovina [was] responsible for the
acts of genocide committed against the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and that it "ha[d] the
obligation to punish the persans held responsible" for these acts. It also asked the Court thatule
"Bosnia and Herzegovina [was] bound to tak:enecessary measures so thatthe said acts would not be
repeated in future" and "to elimînate ali consequences of the violation of the obligations established
by the ... [Genocide] Convention". -2-
By an Order of 17 December 1997, the Court then held:that Yugoslavia'ss ereter-claimw
also directed the Parties to submit further written pleadings op the merits of their respective claims
and fixed time-limits for the filing of a Reply by Bosnia anO.Herzegovina and of a Rejoinder by
Yugoslavia. Those time-limits having been extendedn;;questof each of the Parties, the Reply
of Bosnia and Herzegovina was eventually filed on 23 Aprill998 and the Rejoinder of Yugoslavia
on 22 February 1999. In these pleadings, each of the Parties:contested the allegations made by the
other. :
Website of the Couhttp:J/www.icj-cij.org
Information Office:
Mr.Arthur Witteveen, First Secretary ofthe Court (tel: ;+ 31 70 302 2336)
Mrs. Laurence Blairon, Information Offi+31 70 302 2337)
E-mail address: [email protected] :
•
•
- The President of the Court places on record the withdrawal by Yugoslavia of the counter-claims submitted by that State
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro) - The President of the Court places on record the withdrawal by Yugoslavia of the counter-claims submitted by that State