OSCE welcomes adoption of BiH Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) welcomes the adoption of the BiH Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the period 2021-2024 and its Action Plan by the Council of Ministers of BiH.

The Mission provided support to the BiH SALW Control Coordination Board in drafting the Strategy, recognizing the essential importance of effective arms control in ensuring the personal and general security of the citizens of BiH and the wider region.

The Strategy is based on the best international standards and practices, including those of the United Nations. Its four strategic goals are as follows: improving and harmonizing the legal framework for the implementation of SALW laws; reducing the misuse, illegal possession, and illegal trade of firearms and ammunition; managing SALW in the possession of the Armed Forces of BiH; and cooperating with international and regional organizations, as well as civil society organizations in this field.

As such, the Strategy will improve the effectiveness of arms control in BiH, as well as the implementation of the Roadmap for a Sustainable Solution to Combat the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Illegal Trade of SALW and their Ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024.

The Mission will continue to provide support for the implementation of the priorities contained in the new SALW Control Strategy, within the framework of our long-standing partnership with the BiH authorities on the implementation of its main arms control strategies and plans, in accordance with BiH's international obligations.