MORE THAN 1,400 PIECES OF COLLECTED AND CONFISCATED WEAPONS DESTROYED
In order to improve public security, the competent police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina destroyed around 1,400 weapons and weapon parts on Saturday in the ironworks in Ilijaš. 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 campaign 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.
The Head of Rule of Law Section at the Office of the EU Special Representative in BiH Alfredo Strippoli stated:
“SALW control and countering illicit arms trafficking is extremely important for the security of BiH citizens, but also has an impact across the EU. It is therefore in the interests of both BiH and the EU for our joint efforts to be successful. The EU remains committed and stands ready to further support the relevant authorities in BiH in their efforts to efficiently control proliferation and illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The EU Office in BiH will continue to be a strong partner of BiH citizens and institutions on this path”.Alfredo Strippoli
Chairman of the Coordination Committee for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in BiH, Ermin Pešto, said:
"Since 2016, a total of around 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".Ermin Pešto
Sylvain Merlen, a.i. resident representative UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed out:
"For many years, UNDP has continuously supported the 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."Sylvain 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 of 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."