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OSCE Mission to Montenegro launches awareness campaign to stop the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons

29 June 2015
(L-r) Head of EU Delegation in Montenegro, Mitja Drobnic, CDT Director, Milica Kovacevic, German Ambassador to Montenegro Gudrun Elisabeth Steinacker, Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Janina Hrebickova, UN Resident Co-ordinator/UNDP Permanent Representative, Fiona McCluney and the Minister of Interior, Rasko Konjevic launch the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) public awareness and illicit weapons collection campaign, Podgorica, 24 June 2015. (OSCE/Iva Scepanovic) Photo details

A comprehensive Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Public Awareness and Illicit Weapons Collection Campaign, under the slogan of ‘Respect Life – Return Weapons’, has been  jointly launched by OSCE Mission in Montenegro and the partners for implementation on 24 June in Podgorica. They include the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, UNDP and the Centre for Democratic Transition. The Campaign is financially supported by the EU and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Over the coming eight months, the Campaign aims to increase the public awareness about the security risks inherent in the existence of dangerous and unsafe weapons and ammunition, as well as about the possibility to be able to voluntarily return or legalize SALW thanks to the new Law on Arms adopted on 19 March 2015.

Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Janina Hrebickova, stated that apart from security concerns, transfer of small arms and light weapons, and their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread constitutes a growing threat to stability, security and development. “Tackling of the problem requires comprehensive and coordinated efforts in different areas, such as legislation and law enforcement, as well as the public awareness.”

Interior Minister, Rasko Konjevic, pointed to the threat that the possession of SALW poses and said that “Citizens who are in illegal possession of SALW, and who want to return it, can do so without a fear of criminal sanctions”. He noted that the latter is guaranteed by the amnesty provision in the Law on Arms.

Fiona McCluney, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro said that the weapons are part of the tradition and heritage, not only in Montenegro, but also in most of the countries in the region. “Still, it is necessary that we all understand that we have to change the practices that have negative consequences for individuals, families and the entire society.“