Defining the Civilian: The International Committee of the Red Cross’ Response to Crisis in Bosnia, 1992–1995

This article explores how the International Committee of Red Cross defined non-combatants during Bosnian War (1992–1995) and those definitions contributed to a counter-narrative that disrupts familiar conceptualizations war as exclusively ethnic. Through an examination press releases, I argue identity primarily based on individual experiences with violence and/or transnational constructions vulnerability in age gender. is largely contrast Western politicians journalists who repeated language ultranationalist leaders relied ethno-nationalist categories describe non-combatants. By examining discursive practices Cross, historians have opportunity further understand why some communities individuals experienced violence, participated war, ways counter-intuitive nationalist discourse.