Bosnia and Herzegovina

Turning Weapons into Railway Castings - Improving Security for Better Future

14/09/2012 - Melting of 1.922 pieces of weapons in the steel mill Jelsingrad in Banja Luka marked the continuation of the cycle of weapons destruction collected through the operations of police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The activity is the result of cooperation between United Nations Development Programme and Ministries of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, Hercezegovina-Neretva Canton, Herzeg-Bosnia Canton, Canton of Central Bosnia and Brcko District Police. The collected weapons were melted in the electric arc furnace at the temperatures over 1.500 degrees. The obtained alloys will be used for the production of railways castings or similar production programs. The destruction of weapons achieves the twofold goal: it prevents life and health tragedies of people and at the same time the weapons is converted into items used for civilian and peaceful purposes.

Weapons represent a great threat to security. According to the Small Arms Survey, conducted by UNDP in 2011, it is estimated that every third household in Bosnia and Herzegovina posses some kind of weapon and that there is up to 750 thousand pieces of those weapons in illegal possession. This high prevalence of illegal weapons in the society represents a significant threat to the public safety and the state. It is evidenced by the statistics on criminal offenses committed using these weapons.

The activity of destruction of 1.922 pieces of weapons is a sign of good cooperation and commitment of police agencies in providing better and safer environment for all citizens. It contributes to solving problems caused by weapons in the local community.