Short Answer 
The conviction of Serbs for war crimes during the Yugoslav Wars is closely tied to their involvement in ethnic cleansing against non-Serb populations, notably Bosniaks and Croats. This led to grievous atrocities, including genocide and sexual violence, prompting the international community to establish the ICTY to prosecute those responsible and uphold justice for these crimes against humanity.
Step 1: Understanding Ethnic Cleansing
The conviction of Serbs for war crimes is largely linked to their role in supporting and executing policies of ethnic cleansing during the Yugoslav Wars. This involved deliberate violence aimed at non-Serb populations, particularly targeting Bosniaks and Croats in regions like Bosnia and Croatia. The goal was to create a “Greater Serbia” by forcefully displacing these communities.
Step 2: Atrocities Committed
During the early 1990s, heightened ethnic tensions resulted in widespread violence, led by Serbian forces under leaders like Slobodan Milo≈ °evi∆Ãa. These forces carried out systematic assaults that included:
- Genocidal acts and systematic killings.
- Widespread sexual violence against non-Serb individuals.
- Creation of concentration camps and instances of mass killings, such as the Srebrenica massacre.
Step 3: Legal Repercussions and International Response
The horrific scale of violence prompted an international outcry, leading to the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). This tribunal played a crucial role in addressing war crimes, ultimately resulting in the conviction of numerous Serbs responsible for these acts. Such legal actions emphasized the global commitment to justice and accountability for crimes against humanity.