Echoes of a Broken Union: Yugoslavia’s Memory and the Future of Human Rights

• In Event: Memory, Nostalgia, and National Identity after the Soviet and Yugoslav Collapses

Abstract

The collapse of Yugoslavia remains one of the most profound examples of state disintegration, with lasting implications for human rights in multi-ethnic states. This paper explores how its memory—both the ideals of unity and the realities of its violent dissolution—shapes contemporary debates on nationalism, universalism, and governance. By analyzing case studies and historical contexts and referencing international intervention through the Dayton Accords, this study examines the complex correlations between nationalism and human rights.The contested memory of Yugoslavia across its successor states continues to influence policies on reconciliation, minority rights, and state cohesion. Engaging with this memory is crucial for preventing future conflicts. The study suggests that inclusive governance, thoughtful reconciliation, and human rights education remain essential for ensuring peace while acknowledging the ideological legacies that still shape the region.

Author

• Zhonghui Shen, UC Berkeley