Campaign to Combat Celebratory Shootings
Recognising the surge in celebratory shootings during the summer months when family celebrations are particularly frequent, and members of the diaspora return home in large numbers, law enforcement authorities in Kosovo1 have launched a comprehensive awareness raising campaign to try and address this persistent problem. Supported by SEESAC, with assistance of UNDP Kosovo, the campaign “Celebrate with your heart, not your gun!” aims to reduce celebratory shooting incidents by drawing attention to their inherent dangers and by promoting responsible behaviour among citizens. It takes a multi-faceted approach to tackle this dangerous practice.
The campaign promotes reporting of celebratory incidents by citizens, engages the diaspora directly to discourage their weapon misuse, and looks for support from local community and parental councils in hotspot areas, while also inviting religious leaders to join the campaign. Its messages are informed by tailor-made research exploring attitudes and knowledge of key target audiences in Kosovo and among its diaspora.
The campaign started with an introductory phase, a round of meetings with local stakeholders, including community security forums, wedding hall owners, NGOs, the media and parental council which took place in Prishtinë/Priština, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Gjakovë/Đakovica, Prizren, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and Pejë/Peć in the late June 2023. The aim was to raise awareness, request support, and prevent the misuse of weapons during the holiday season.
To address the diaspora's influence on celebratory shooting trends, leaflets and posters were distributed and will continue to be handed out throughout the summer at land and air border crossings.
The campaign was officially launched on 30 June 2023, when Mr. Blerim Gashani, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and National Coordinator for Small and Light Weapons, said that the illegal possession of firearms is in decline each year, but it still appears as a threat to human life and public order. He also noted that the authorities are ready to work further together to ensure a safer place for all citizens.
The campaign represents authorities’ dedication to ensuring safe and joyful summer celebrations. By encouraging responsible behaviour, citizen reporting, and stakeholder collaboration, they aim to reduce celebratory shootings and create a culture of safety and respect, while making the summertime peaceful and joyful for all.
The full-blown campaign, scheduled to take place in August – September 2023 period, will witness intensified police activities. Advertisements will be distributed through various channels, including social media, and billboards. The campaign will be followed by an assessment of its impact conducted through a survey.
SEESAC actively supports the campaign and the authorities in this endeavour through the Support for Enhancing the Fight Against the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans project, funded by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II).