Human rights in the crisis zone of southeastern Europe

20th century Balkans conflicts were based on ideological premises of ethnic exclusivity and territoriality. The alleged ethnic collective served as pretext for serious violation of basic human rights. The principle of the sovereignty of states seemed often opposed to the moral obligation to intervene where human rights were endangered. A crucial concept in this regard is Civil Society whose logic is opposed to that of ethnicity. The international community will have to adapt to the age of globalisation where state sovereignty as well as e.g. veto rights in the UN security council will be of reduced relevance in dealing with conflict and post-conflict situations as well as with preventive diplomacy.