The Srebrenica massacre unfolded as part of the broader conflict known as the Yugoslav Wars, which erupted in the early 1990s after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. The town of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina had been declared a 'safe area' by the United Nations, designated for protection of its predominantly Bosniak population. However, the international community's efforts were undermined when Bosnian Serb forces launched an offensive in July, overrunning the town. Ratko Mladić, commander of the Bosnian Serb Army, played a pivotal role in the operation. Over several days, thousands of Bosniak men were separated from women and children, taken away, and executed in mass killings. In total, it is estimated that around 8,000 Bosniak men were slaughtered, while the women and children faced forced displacement and violence.

The aftermath saw survivors and families grappling with the horrors of loss and displacement. The international community faced criticism for its failures to prevent the massacre, despite the presence of Dutch peacekeepers in the city who were unable to protect the Bosniak residents. The events highlighted the international community's shortcomings in addressing ethnic cleansing and genocide, leading to subsequent legal actions and war crimes trials, including those against high-ranking officials like Mladić.

This massacre not only became a pivotal moment in the history of the Balkans but also led to increased discussions around genocide prevention and war crime accountability. The establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was a direct response to the atrocities committed during this conflict, aiming to provide justice for those affected and hold perpetrators accountable.