RH Herceg-Bosna

Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (locally Hrvatska Republika Herceg-Bosna) was an unrecognized entity in present day Bosnia and Herzegovina that existed between 1991 and 1994 as a result of secessionist politics during the Bosnian War. The capital city of Herzeg-Bosnia was Western Mostar. Herzeg-Bosnia ceased to exist in 1994, when it joined the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on signing the Washington Agreement. One of the cantons of Federation still variably use the name Herzeg-Bosnia Canton.

Government & Politics
The ruling party in the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Democratic Union (the "HDZ"), organised and controlled the branch of the party in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the "HDZ-BiH"). By the latter part of 1991, the more extreme nationalist elements of the HDZ-BiH, under the leadership of Mate Boban, Dario Kordić and others, with the support of Franjo Tuđman and Gojko Šušak, had taken effective control of the party.

On 18 November 1991, the more extreme nationalist elements of the HDZ-BiH, led by Mate Boban and Dario Kordić, proclaimed the existence of the Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, as a separate "political, cultural, economic and territorial whole," on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Because of municipal election in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1990 and as one of the three nationalistic parties which has won the elections HDZ had much of influence in municipalities later claimed by Herzeg-Bosnia.

Controversies
HDZ leadership was also included in Geneva peace talks which divided Bosnia and Herzegovina in three ethnic republics and on 28 August 1993, the Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia declared itself the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia. (As stated earlier, this entity, whether as the "Community" or "Republic," is referenced hereafter as Herzeg-Bosnia.) Neither the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina nor the international community ever recognised Herzeg-Bosnia as a State. The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared Herzeg-Bosnia illegal, first on or about 14 September 1992 and again on 20 January 1994.

Most Croat controlled cities and towns that were part of the original Herzeg-Bosnia still have the state's flag draped somewhere noticeable, such as on powerlines which hang above main roads. Many Croats still do not approve of their union in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and this is one way they have demonstrated it.

The Herzeg-Bosnian leadership (Jadranko Prlić, Bruno Stojić, Slobodan Praljak, Milivoj Petković, Valentin Ćorić and Berislav Pušić) is presently awaiting trial at the ICTY on charges including Crimes Against Humanity, Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions and Violations of the Laws or Customs of War.

Recent History
The Croatian Republic was recently proclaimed, and many Croatian citizens have taken land by force. The republic is an extremist Roman Catholic organisation. The government condemns other religions and has outlawed them. Croatian is the official language, and it is taught in all the schools.