Serbia Adopts the SALW National Strategy Action Plan
On 9 August 2013, the Government of Serbia adopted the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Small Arms and Light Weapons National Strategy in the Republic of Serbia for 2010-2015.
The Action Plan is a set of specific activities through which the implementation of the national Strategy objectives for 2013 and 2014 will be achieved. The Republic of Serbia adopted the SALW National Strategy on 13 May 2010.
The Action Plan was developed by the SALW Commission which consists of representatives from key responsible ministries and agencies and, upon invitation to participate as observers, representatives of other state institutions, civil society and UNDP - represented by SEESAC. In addition to taking part in Commission meetings, SEESAC contributed to the drafting of the Plan through financial and technical assistance.
The SALW Commission is also tasked with monitoring of the Action Plan implementation and it will report on its progress to the Government of the Republic of Serbia every 90 days. The progress reports will be available to the public in a bulletin form which will be published by the Commission.
The eight main objectives envisaged by the Strategy are:
Objective 1: Create the conditions for an effective application of the national legislation related to the production, transfer, marking and stamping, export and import controls, fulfillment of requirements for weapons’ possession and weapons registration procedures.
Objective 2: Inform the public on the negative impacts of weapons’ abuse and raise awareness in individuals and legal entities on the risks caused by weapons and on legal regulations related to weapons possession and internal and international transfers of weapons.
Objective 3: Create the conditions for safe storage of small arms and light weapons.
Objective 4: Plan and conduct long-term and regular activities of SALW controls with the aim of weapons collection (amnesty) or their seizure and destruction.
Objective 5: Identify surplus stockpiles of small arms and light weapons under state control and create material and financial conditions for their safe disposal.
Objective 6: Strengthen cooperation at national and international level, in accordance with the existing international documents.
Objective 7: Seek civil society support to the SALW Control Strategy.
Objective 8: Ensure observance and implementation of the existing international agreements (documents, conventions) related to small arms and light weapons, acceded by the Republic of Serbia and compliance of local legislation with the international documents and regulations of the UN, OSCE and EU.
The Strategy represents a major accomplishment of the Serbian institutions in their efforts to establish a holistic approach towards SALW control. The Strategy is in line with the international best practices in SALW control and lays a solid foundation for the implementation of specific SALW control interventions.
The effective implementation of the SALW Control Strategy of the Republic of Serbia will create a favorable environment for faster development and will demonstrate Serbia’s commitment to combating all the forms of crime and terrorism.