ETHNIC CLEANSING
of self determination or for the betterment of their rights, largely
“Ethnic cleansing” means uprising of a particular race for the right
motivated by the religion or at times due to the colour of one’s skin.
The “Ethnic cleansing” has emerged not in some Asian or Arabic country but in a country located in the Southern Europe. In the north west
part of Balkan peninsula bounded by Italy on the (northwest) Austria and
Hungry on the north, Romania and Bulgaria on the east and Greece and
Albania on the South.
This country known previously as Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia has been torn apart in this Ethnic warfare between Bosnia-
Hercezogovina, Croatia and Serbia. (formally three federal units of
Yugoslavia).
A BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.
Before analyzing the current situation of the civil war in Yugoslavia,
it is imperative to discuss its causes.
One of the root-cause of this ethnic eruption is sudden disappearance
of socialist authority.
Almost half century old battle (cold war) of ideology, fought
between communism and Democracy, ended with the collapse of
communism. This created an political vacuum among the different
civilizations of Yugoslavia.
The departure of communism was so sudden that it not only created
an ideological vacuum but also a power vacuum. Thus force began to
move in order to fill up these gaps, as the people were entirely uneducated
in fighting a political war, this gradually turned into contributed warfare
between the Muslims and the Serbs, the root cause being the proper
division of the area.
DEVELOPMENT OF SITUATION AGAINST MUSLIMS.
The situation gradually developed against Muslims, when the United
Nation imposed arms embargo on Bosnia-Hercezogovina, which reduced
the Muslims, since they are the largest majority in Bosnia, to the status of
militants with no weapon to aim at the enemy. This worsened the situation
of the Bosnian Muslims. Soldiers, as media reports committed all kind of
butchery, from killing, raping and brutally firing bullets at the unarmed
civilians.
CURRENT SITUATION.
After two years of ethnic warfare, a little glimmer hope has
surfaced. The United Nations is doing its level best to bring a peace
accord between the waring factions. They have finally got down to cease fire talks, though so far they appear for apart on the key events to
establish an eventual peace. But it is hoped that first Bosnia wide cease-
fire, in over two years of war, is at hand. Yet still it is any body’s guess.
Muslims a cruets have ahgied themselves, French peace keeping force is
Currently Serbian occupy 70% of the area, peace plan give them 49% as
there.
KASHMIR.
Repression of Kashmiri Muslims has been a part of their lives, even
before independence. The dynasty of Gulab Hindu (Galab Singh)
descendants was never popular with the overwhelming Muslims majority.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION.
Located on extreme north of Indian Sub-continent, bordered by
Afghanistan on the north, China and Tibet on the east and Pakistan on the
west, the valley is a state of 86,024 square miles.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.
The valley, as stated, is overwhelming by Muslims majority. At the
inception of Pakistan, it had to join Pakistan because of its Muslim
population. The maharajah, instead of acceding to with the Government of
Pakistan, to which it has all the links including road and water, joined
India against the wishes of his people.
Pakistan objected to the accession and took the matter to the United
Nations and Security Council on 13th August 1948 adopted a resolution
declaring Kashmir as disputed territory and again on Jan 9, 1949
incorporating another resolution for the right of self determination for the
Kashmiri people.
Despite Indian insistence that the accession is complete, Pakistan
kept the matter alive, which resulted in two major wars, (1965, 1971)
between India and Pakistan.
ETHNIC TROUBLE SHOOT.
Despite Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir, the Muslims of
Kashmir have been able to transport their ideas to the world community
that they want freedom from the Indian Government and military forces.
Though Pakistan is providing moral sport and is trying its level, best
drumming up support from the Muslim countries, for the Kashmiri’s right of self-determination and also yet the struggle of Kashmiri people still
remain to materialise.
CURRENT SITUATION.
The current situation in Kashmir is pathetic. India has deployed a
large amount of armed forces (500,000) to root out the Muslims militants,
who are crying for their right of self determination. India is not allowing
any country to mediate, whereas Indian armed forces are doing all kinds
of Human rights violations. This has also resulted in Hindu Muslim
clashes at various other places in India.
PALESTINE
Palestine is another crucial issue to the Muslim community. Situated
from the southeast shore of the Mediterranean eastward to the Jordan river
and from Lebanon in the North to the straits Peninsula of Egypt in the
South of Middle East.
ISSUE. (In Historical Perception).
The place has been a point of issue between Jews and Muslims. In
1947, United Nations decided that Palestine should be divided between
Palestine Arab State and Jewish State, with Jerusalem to be under
international control. Zionist agreed to the Partition plan and established a
state in May 1949. The Palestinian Arab 65% of the population of their
country were forced to wander in wilderness. As a result of the Arab
Israel war of 1948-49 and actions by Jordan, Israel and Great Britain.
Israel annexed part of Jerusalem (the new city). Again, in 1967, Israel
troops conquered the Eastern Jerusalem, west bank and Gaza strip.
Since then there has been PLO led agitation by the Muslims against
the Israeli occupation. Almost 95 percent of the Muslim countries are yet
to recognize Israel as a country or to establish diplomatic relations.
CURRENT SITUATION.
PLO led agitation achieved substantial recognition but Israel was not
ready to talk until the fall of the conservative Government and installation
of labour Government under Yitzak Rabin.
In Septembers 1993 they finally arrived at the peace accord in
Washington, signed by Yasser Arafat from the side of PLO and Yatzik
Rabin on the Israel side but the situation again went into troubled water
due to Hebron Massacre” in 1994. In May 1994 they again arrived at a solution of granting autonomy
to Palestine in the Gaza strip and the town of Jericho, The agreement was
concluded in Cairo, (Egypt). The 250 page document reveals that for rest
of the area, an independent negotiations will be completed within two
years. But the peace process appears to be, again, in doldrums due to the
recent murder of Yatzik Rabin.
HOW TO SOLVE THE ISSUES.
These issues of Ethnic cleansing are long hot debated and a lot
debated issues. The world community is well aware of these issues. The
fault lies among the Muslims. One cannot blame that every country is
guided by its own interests but atrocities are likings of none especially if
such brutalities are inflicted upon one’s brother.
Though situation is getting better in Bosnia, the waring factors have
decided to cease fire but still unity among Muslim states to press for the
immediate solution is necessary.
Same is the case with Kashmir. Though Pakistan is drumming up
support for the earlier solution of Kashmir But still we find that, Muslim
countries (especially the oil rich countries) are yet to grant their support or
to press for its solution.
There are several other factors which have brought halt in the
solution of Kashmir dispute, such as:-
1. Pakistan’s nuclear capability.
2. Pakistan being not a signatory to Non-proliferation treaty.
And as a result of this, United States, Pakistan’s foremost ally, has
abandoned her and imposed Pressler amendment against Pakistan. Though
Brown Amendment has been passed, which is portrayed a slight hope for
better relationship and resumption of aid, as well.
Palestinian issue has some what dissolved but still more to be done
that is to cross the road from autonomy to independence. Again the core
problem would be to muster up support from the Muslim countries, other
wise there are chances that things may turn the otherway.