Frederal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) /NATO: "Collateral damage" or unlawful killings? Violations of the Laws of War by NATO during Operation Allied Force

Index Number: EUR 70/018/2000
Date Published: 5 June 2000
Categories: Europe And Central Asia

This document examines a series of attacks during the air campaign conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), codenamed Operation Allied Force. Indications are that NATO did not always meet its legal obligations in selecting targets and in choosing means and methods of attack. On the basis of available evidence, including NATO's own statements and accounts of specific incidents, Amnesty International believes that -- whatever their intentions -- NATO forces did commit serious violations of the laws of war leading in a number of cases to the unlawful killings of civilians.