Known as the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II, the Yugoslav Wars (also known as the Wars of Yugoslav Succession, Yugoslav Civil War or Balkan War ) were a series of wars fought in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Although the entire conflict can be divided into four distinct wars, these are linked due to their common origin and the presence of the same ethnoreligious groups in the multiple wars. These wars have become infamous due to the heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides. To better understand the atrocities of these wars, you need to know the definitions of some war terms and crimes. The ideas of “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” are often thrown around in relation to the Yugoslav wars, as are the terms “war criminals” and “crimes against humanity.” Ethnic cleansing can be described as an “organised campaign to forcibly relocate a population out of an area”. It can be planned and/or ordered by a government for a variety of reasons and consists of threats, individual killings, gang violence, arrests, torture, rape, and arson; all of which lead to spontaneous evacuations, forced migration or deportation of the target group. Genocide is generally considered the most serious stage of ethnic cleansing, as the key factor in establishing genocide is intent. For an event to be considered genocide, the intended complete destruction of a group is required. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines a crime against humanity as a serious crime committed as part of a widespread and/or systematic attack directed against a specified group of people and which may include (but is not limited to) murder, extermination, ensla...... middle of paper ......ge was not much more than an afterthought in the Nuremberg trials). ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte called the trial against Milošević “…probably the most significant trial ever held against a political leader and head of state. From the charge he faces, the defendant is presumed to be… the root cause of much of the crime, tragedy and misery caused by the three wars.” It was widely believed that Milošević would spend the rest of his life behind bars. But even without such a landmark case reaching its full potential, it can be said with certainty that the ICTY is still an impressive institution and has ushered in a new era of international law and criminal prosecution that is vital in today's society. It has brought many war criminals to justice and, with any luck, can bring a sense of justice to a war-torn region and help sow the seeds of peace..