This photograph, taken by American photojournalist Ron Haviv in 1992, captures a chilling moment during the Bosnian War. In it, one can see a Serb paramilitary soldier kicking a wounded civilian who lies on the ground. The image was taken in Bijeljina, Bosnia, and it shows a clear example of the brutality and ethnic violence that characterized the conflict.
This photograph exposed the world to the atrocities committed by the Serb paramilitary group, the Tigers. They were led by warlord Željko Ražnatović, better known as Arkan. The image became a stark symbol of war crimes and human rights violations during the Bosnian War.
In 1992, the former Yugoslavia was breaking apart, with violent conflicts erupting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and other areas. Ethnic tensions and nationalist movements escalated. The Bosnian War, which began in 1992, was particularly brutal. Here, Serbian forces targeted Bosnian Muslims and Croats in campaigns of ethnic cleansing.
The conflict resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and widespread atrocities, including massacres, rapes, and the destruction of towns and villages. The international community, initially slow to intervene, was forced to confront the war’s horrors. They did so through images like Haviv’s, which documented the brutal reality on the ground.
Ron Haviv’s photograph was first published in international newspapers and magazines in 1992, shortly after it was taken. It sparked global outrage, serving as direct evidence of the war crimes committed by Arkan’s Tigers. The photograph played a significant role in raising international awareness of the ethnic violence and genocide happening in Bosnia. It also contributed to the eventual indictment of war criminals by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
• Photographer: Ron Haviv
• Date: March 31, 1992
• Location: Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Agency: VII Photo Agency
In March 1992, Ron Haviv was embedded with the Serb paramilitary group known as Arkan’s Tigers as they entered the town of Bijeljina. Haviv had been granted rare access to the group under the condition that he would not photograph certain events. However, when he witnessed paramilitaries executing civilians and committing brutal acts of violence, he defied these restrictions. The image of a soldier kicking a Bosnian Muslim woman—is one of several Haviv took during that day. All documented the indiscriminate killings and violence perpetrated by Arkan’s forces.
Haviv knew the risks involved in capturing and preserving these images. Arkan himself reportedly saw Haviv’s camera and warned him not to release any incriminating photos. Despite the threats, Haviv managed to smuggle the images out of Bosnia. Because of this, he provided the world with critical evidence of the atrocities taking place.
CONTROVERSIES AND CRITICISMS
• Ethical Debate: Some critics have raised questions about Haviv’s role as a photojournalist embedded with a group of war criminals. By documenting the violence without intervening, Haviv has faced the ethical dilemma inherent in war photography. Is there a responsibility to witness and expose atrocities? Does the desire come from the inability to prevent them in the moment?
• Arkan’s Reaction: After the images were published, Arkan vowed to kill Haviv if he ever returned to the region. This threat underscored the dangers photojournalists face when documenting war crimes and human rights violations, especially when they expose powerful figures.
Ron Haviv’s photograph is a haunting reminder of the Bosnian War’s brutality and the atrocities committed during the conflict. It played a significant role in raising international awareness of the ethnic cleansing campaigns carried out by Serbian forces. It also contributed to the indictment of several war criminals by the ICTY. The photograph stands as a powerful testament to the importance of bearing witness to war crimes, even in the face of personal danger.
The image has been widely used in exhibitions, documentaries, and reports on the Bosnian War. It highlights the critical role of photojournalism in documenting human rights abuses. It continues to serve as a symbol of the horrors of war and the need for justice and accountability.
• Full Name: Ron Haviv
• Birth: 1965, New York, USA
Ron Haviv is an award-winning photojournalist and co-founder of the VII Photo Agency. He has documented conflicts and humanitarian crises in more than 100 countries, focusing on the human cost of war. His work has been published in major outlets, including Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. Known for his fearless dedication to exposing the realities of war, Haviv’s images have been used as evidence in international tribunals and war crimes trials. His work, particularly in the Balkans, remains a critical resource in the historical record of 20th-century conflict.