A court decision that could change the Netherlands' future peacekeeping efforts.

On Friday, the Dutch Supreme court said the state was responsible for the deaths of three Muslim Bosnian men ordered to leave a United Nations compound during the Srebrenica massacre in 1995.

This is the first time Dutch authorities have been formally held accountable for the failings of soldiers serving in foreign peacekeeping missions and could open the doors to further compensation claims.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER REPRESENTING NUHANOVIC, LIESBETH ZEGVELD, SAYING:

"The most important conclusion is that the U.N. flag does not give you immunity as a state or as an individual soldier."

The case was brought forward by relatives of the victims, who said they hope the decision will save lives in the future.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BOSNIAN MUSLIM AND SREBRENICA SURVIVOR WHO PROSECUTED THE DUTCH STATE, HASAN NUHANOVIC, SAYING:

"In the future countries might act differe