Interplay of Gender and Nationalism: Case Study: War crimes in Bosnia & Herzegovina 1992-95

The lecture 'Interplay of Gender and Nationalism: Case Study: War Crimes in Bosnia & Herzegovina 1992-95' takes a look at the relationship between gender and nationalism. The hypothesis is that nationalism is more often embodied, developed and exercised between the male populations and is confirmed as a specific nation (or ethnic group in a multinational society).

This nationalism may end up in its ultimate shape: acts of committing war crimes. The masculine nationalism, as a trigger or 'national mobilization' took place in the late '80s and early' 90s in former Yugoslavia and was a phenomenon that provoked and invoked the Balkan wars. 

The connection of gender and nationalism has not yet been seen from the aspect of sexual crimes committed by primarily the male population. However, a number of investigations have been carried out. And, it sounds almost fictitious to state that more than a third of those convicted by the ICTY have been found guilty of crimes involving sexual violence (gender based war crimes). Therefore, it is both interesting and crucial to take a closer look at the interlinked concepts of gender and nationalism. 

About the speaker

Professor Zarije Seizovic graduated from the Sarajevo Law School and holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Sciences. He currently works as Professor of Political System of BiH, International Law, Law of Defense and Security at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, where he teaches at bachelor, master and doctoral level.

He worked as a lawyer in the War Crimes Chamber of the BiH State Court, as legal counsel in a number of international organizations such as OSCE and UN Missions to BiH as well as International Crisis Group (ICG). He also worked as an Attorney-at-Law, Criminal Court Judge and Registrar of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of BiH. As consultant he was involved in a number of judicial and public administration reform projects in BiH and Balkans. He is the author of ten, co-author of four books in English and national language/s, author of translation of one book in English as well as author of over 100 articles published in BiH and abroad.

He is member of Political Sciences Board​ of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.