Locations3,939 pieces of collected and confiscated weapons were destroyed
December 6, 2024
At the Ilijaš Steelworks, 3,939 weapons and weapon parts (long barrels – 626, short barrels 1,332, weapon parts 1,981) were destroyed, which were collected by police agencies through their regular police activities and voluntary surrender by 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 the technical support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH and with the financial support of 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 Chairman of the Coordination Committee for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in BiH, Ermin Pešto, said:
Ermin Pešto
"This action demonstrates the commitment of all police agencies to continue collecting and destroying illegal weapons and thereby create a safer environment for our citizens. Some of the weapons were confiscated by police agencies and some were voluntarily surrendered by citizens. Unfortunately, we have witnessed tragic incidents in the past period 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."Ermin Pešto
UNDP Resident Representative in BiH, Renaud Meyer, emphasized:
Renaud Meyer
"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 illegal 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."Renaud 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 safety of all citizens. In South-Eastern 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.
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