Samenvatting

Bosnia and Herzegovina faced many problems in relation to multi ethnicities. The country was in a catastrophic situation after the Bosnian war 1992-1995. The war ended when the main parties signed the Dayton Peace Agreement. This agreement had to lead to peace, democracy and reconciliation after the war. This research examined the influence of the Dayton Peace Agreement in contemporary civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to answer the research question primary and secondary desk research has been done. Also two personal interviews were held to obtain necessary information.
The Dayton Peace Agreement was signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. The Parties did agree that Bosnia and Herzegovina would be divided within two Entities namely: Republika Sprska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The current Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is written in the agreement and advocates a rotating Presidency. Refugees and internal displaced persons do obtain a free passageway to return to their pre-war houses. A High Representative was appointed in order to monitor the compliance of the agreement; he has the most important role and has a lot of authority.
The consequences of the agreements can still be found in today's Bosnian-Herzegovinian society. The Inter-Entity boundary only became stronger and stronger and tensions among the Ethnicities rose. The credibility of the International judges and High Representative are questioned by Bosnian Serbs. Many refugees still did not return and a large part of the population complains about the functioning of the State. Without a revision of the agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be under influence of the International Community and will not have the chance to develop as a sovereign state.