Militarized Law Enforcement in Peace Operations: EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Authors: Friesendorf, Cornelius; Penksa, Susan

Source: International Peacekeeping, Volume 15, Number 5, November 2008 , pp. 677-694(18)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The militarization of law enforcement has been a major feature of post-cold war international security: domestically, at borders and as part of peace operations. In post-war interventions, international military forces are confronted with tasks ranging from crowd and riot control and the arrest of suspect war criminals to the fight against organized crime. This article analyses and explains the militarization of law enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on the European Union Force (EUFOR). After taking over from NATO's Stabilization Force (SFOR), which had gradually and reluctantly become involved in law enforcement, EUFOR expanded counter-crime efforts. In its second term, EUFOR scaled down such engagement. We explain these dynamics by pointing to three interrelated factors: the role of individuals, the evolution of regional institutions and changing perceptions of crime and the rule of law.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13533310802396277

Publication date: 2008-11-01