Kosovo

More than two decades after the end of the conflict in Kosovo, and despite disarmament initiatives and firearm amnesties, the uncontrolled proliferation of illegal weapons and ammunition continues throughout the territory ­– fuelling insecurity, armed violence and organised crime. Mostly due to the widespread circulation of small arms and light weapons, Kosovo records significant levels of firearm-related injuries and deaths, and inter-ethnic tensions sometimes degenerate into armed confrontations.

In terms of weapons and ammunition management, the Kosovan government adopted a Strategy for Control and Collection of Small Arms in 2013 and is committed to tackling illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, ammunition and explosives in the country and the region. Kosovo has also developed a legal framework for the control of small arms and light weapons and aims to further enhance its weapons and ammunition management laws, policies and capacities.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union, and the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) support Kosovo in developing its weapons and ammunition management capacities, especially in terms of weapons and ammunition storage and disposal and efforts to tackle illicit small arms and light weapons trafficking.

Sources: "Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosive Control Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2021," Ministry of Internal Affairs (Kosovo), December 2016, https://www.seesac.org/f/docs/Kosovo-1/Small-Arms-Light-Weapons-and-Explosive-Control-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-2017---2.pdf; “Kosovo Destroys over 2382 SALW to Mark the International Gun Destruction Day,” SEESAC, July 7, 2016, https://www.seesac.org/News-SALW/Kosovo-destroys-over-2382-SALW-to-mark-the-International-Gun-Destruction-Day_1/; “SALW Survey of Kosovo,” SEESAC, August 24, 2006, https://www.seesac.org/f/docs/SALW-Surveys/SALW-Survey-of-Kosovo-EN.pdf; “Professional Equipment Handed Over to Kosovo Police for Combatting Illicit Arms Trafficking and Improving Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons,” UNDP, June 10, 2022, https://www.undp.org/kosovo/press-releases/professional-equipment-handed-over-kosovo-police-combatting-illicit-arms-trafficking-and-improving-control-small-arms-and-light.