In order to improve public safety, the competent police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina destroyed about 1,400 weapons and weapon parts in the ironworks in Ilijaš today. Police agencies have collected SALW through their regular policing activities. At the same time, some of the firearms were voluntarily handed over by the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The action to destroy weapons that were in the warehouses of police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina is organized by the Coordination Committee for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the financial support of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Eastern and Southeastern Europe (SEESAC ), with the technical support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in BiH.
This confirms long-term cooperation and commitment to providing a sustainable solution to the problem of confiscated weapons, announced the Ministry of Security of BiH.
Alfredo Strippoli, Head of the Department for the Rule of Law in the Office of the Special Representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the area of small arms control and the fight against the illegal trade in firearms are extremely important for the safety of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the entire EU.
“Therefore, it is in the interest of both BiH and the EU that our joint efforts are successful. The European Union remains committed and ready to further support the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in their efforts to effectively control the proliferation and illegal trade in small arms and light weapons. The EU office in Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to be a strong partner to the citizens and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina on this path,” Strippoli said.
Chairman of the Coordination Committee for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ermin Pešto, said that since 2016, a total of 27,100 pieces and parts of weapons have been destroyed through these activities.
“In the past period, we witnessed tragic events in which illegal weapons were used. With today’s action, we also send a message that it is necessary to reduce the number of weapons in the illegal possession of citizens in order to create a safe environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Pešto.
Sylvain Merlen, acting resident representative of UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed out that for many years that organization has continuously supported competent institutions in activities that address key security issues arising from inadequate control of small arms and light weapons.
“This activity overlaps with the recently started campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of small arms and light weapons, which, with the support of UNDP, is being carried out by competent police agencies throughout BiH,” said Merlen.
With this action, we jointly want to draw attention to the dangers that excess weapons, as well as weakly secured weapons and weapons in illegal possession, represent for the everyday safety of all citizens. In Southeast Europe, the problem of the circulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons knows no borders and as such requires a joint response at the regional level.
By implementing these activities, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its commitment to the implementation of the goals set out in the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to combating the illegal possession, abuse and trade in small arms and light weapons and related ammunition in the Western Balkans until 2024 (Roadmap) and the Strategy for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021-2024.
This event was organized within the IPA project of the European Commission “Support to strengthen the fight against the illegal possession, abuse and trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans”.
Source/photo: Fena
