Ethnic cleansing refers to the deliberate and systematic removal or extermination of a particular ethnic or religious group from a specific area. This often involves violence, intimidation, and forced displacement, aiming to create a region that is ethnically homogeneous. The term gained prominence during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, where various groups targeted each other based on ethnic identity. The process of ethnic cleansing can include acts such as mass killings, forced migration, and the destruction of cultural heritage. It is considered a violation of international law and is often associated with crimes against humanity. Organizations like the United Nations work to prevent and address such atrocities globally.