Today, 3,939 weapons and weapon parts (626 long barrels, 1,332 short barrels, 1,981 weapon parts) were destroyed at the Ilijaš Steelworks, which police agencies collected through their regular police activities and voluntary surrenders of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The action to destroy weapons that were in the warehouses of police agencies in BiH is organized by the Coordination Committee for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (SEESAC), with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH and financial support from the European Union.
This confirms the long-standing cooperation and commitment to improving public safety and a sustainable solution to the problem of confiscated weapons, the Ministry of Security of BiH announced.
The Chairman of the Coordination Board for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in BiH, Ermin Pešto, said that this action demonstrates the commitment of all police agencies to continue collecting and destroying illegal weapons and thus creating a safer environment for BiH citizens.
“Some of the weapons were confiscated by police agencies, and some were voluntarily surrendered by citizens. Unfortunately, in the past period, we have witnessed tragic incidents in which illegal weapons were most often used. With today’s destruction of the collected weapons, we have permanently eliminated the risk of them falling into the wrong hands and being used for a criminal offense,” said Pešto.
UNDP Resident Representative in BiH, Renaud Meyer, emphasized that today’s destruction of almost 4,000 pieces of collected and confiscated small arms and light weapons and weapon parts is another significant step towards improving public safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“UNDP’s long-standing cooperation with domestic and international partners demonstrates our shared commitment to reducing the risks that surplus weapons and their illicit possession pose to citizens. These activities are not only a contribution to a safer everyday life, but also an important element of regional stability and cooperation,” said Meyer.
This action aims to jointly draw attention to the dangers that surplus weapons, as well as poorly secured weapons and weapons in illegal possession, pose to the everyday security 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 implementing the goals set out in the Roadmap for a Sustainable Solution to Combat the Illicit Possession, Abuse and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Their Ammunition in the Western Balkans and the Strategy for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the Ministry of Security said in a statement.
