The Ministry of Internal Affairs in cooperation with the UNDP Kosovo Safety and Security Project, held a media conference regarding the ongoing illegal weapons legalisation campaign.

Mr. Izmi Zeka, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, said that the Ministry is fully committed to implementing the activities of the legalization process, noting that this is a core component of the ‘Sustainable Solution to illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans’ roadmap. 

“The campaign for legalisation will last for six months and supports the implementation of the Law on Legalisation on Weapons. The campaign’s purpose is to provide information to each person on how to legalise their weapons and them to take this action” he said.

Ms. Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative, spoke of the long-term commitment by UNDP to SALW control, Kosovo’s role as an exporter of security, and the power of legalisation in reducing criminal weapon use.

H.E. Christian Heldt, Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, congratulated the government for the work that has been done, reaffirming the continued support of the German State in fighting the possession of illegal weapons. 

Lt. Col, Mr. Afrim Ahmeti, Director of Operations, Kosovo Police, presented to the audience the number of people who have begun the process of legalisation or deactivation and data regarding crimes committed with illegal firearms. He reaffirmed that the legalisation will reduce the number of violent crimes committed and celebratory shooting incidents.

Mr. Destan Mustafa, from the Department of Public Safety, gave a presentation on the legalisation process, initial findings as well as the campaign products and social media plan.

The legalisation campaign is part of UNDP’s Kosovo Safety and Security Project, which is financed through the German Foreign Ministry. 

The legalisation campaign will run from 17 December 2018 until 17 June 2019.

You can follow the progress of the campaign on:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legalizoje/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/me_letra/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/letra_me

For more information, please contact:

Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410; mobile: 049 720 800; e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org

Danijela Mitić, UNDP Communication Analyst

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412; mobile: 049 720 824; e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org