Philippe Morillon (; 24 October 1935 – 29 January 2026) was a French general, who commanded the United Nations Defence Force during the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1993. He later was a Member of the European Parliament between 1999 and 2009, elected on the Union for French Democracy ticket with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group.
He is a controversial figure in Bosnia. His phrase to the crowd "you are now under the protection of the UN. I will never abandon you." before leaving Srebrenica in 1993 is remembered by locals as Western countries' abandonment of the Bosnians when the Srebrenica massacre occurred two years later. However, outside Bosnia, Morillon was recognised as the person who warned of the humanitarian crisis in Srebrenica and contributed to improving the situation in the city.
Early life
Morillon was born on 24 October 1935 in Casablanca, French Morocco. He participated in the Algerian War as an officer and had a career in the Armored Corps of the French Army. He supported the Algiers putsch of 1961 against Charles de Gaulle.
In a 13 March broadcast on amateur radio, he stated that it was his duty to remain in the city because a great tragedy was about to occur. José María Mendiluce, the UNHCR special envoy to Yugoslavia, said that Morillon succeeded in drawing the world's attention to the moral injustice taking place in the territory. However, outside Bosnia, Morillon was recognised for warning of the humanitarian crisis in Srebrenica, as he had warned Milošević that a "terrible tragedy" could take place there if Milošević did nothing to calm the situation.
Later life
Morillon testified in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on
12 February 2004.
Death
Morillon died on 29 January 2026, at the age of 90. His death was announced by the France's Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin. His death was mourned by the Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.