The old bridge of Mostar and increasing respect for cultural property in armed conflict

This thesis concerns international legal protection of immovable cultural property in armed conflict. Drawing on the relevant rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) and jurisprudence of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the thesis analyses the incident of the deliberate targeting and destruction of the Old Bridge of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, first from a normative point of view and then it examines enforcement efforts to identify issues relating to international legal protection of cultural property in armed conflict arising from this incident. The objective of the thesis is to evaluate the adequacy of the IHL, regime relating to the targeting and destruction of cultural property in armed conflict and the adequacy of international enforcement regime based on the study of the Old Bridge of Mostar. Although it is precious to all humanity, including future generations, cultural property is targeted wilfully during armed conflict The deliberate destruction of the Old Bridge is emblematic of tragedies wrought on priceless cultural objects internationally. The Old Bridge was a monument of exceptional historical and architectural. significance. It formed part of the cultural heritage of all humankind. The Old Bridge was a protected object within the meaning of IHL. At the time of its destruction it was devoid of military significance and did not constitute a legitimate military target. Its destruction was in violation of the relevant rules of IHL protecting cultural property in armed conflict. The wilful destruction of cultural property amounts to a war crime and incurs individual criminal responsibility. In the litany of Balkan war crimes the wilful destruction of cultural property has been pushed from centre stage. Cultural property-related crimes have not been as `visible' as they should have been. Although some important steps have been made towards ending impunity for cultural property-related crimes, there are still problems at both the normative and enforcement levels. Despite numerous legal prohibitions on the destruction of cultural property in armed conflict, these norms require further clarity and implementation. Until this happens and blatant attacks on cultural property are paid closer attention it will be difficult to ensure respect for cultural property in armed conflict