Small Arms and Human Security in the Western Balkans: Beyond the Conflict and Fatal Victims
This publication delves into the intricate relationship between small arms proliferation and human security in the Western Balkans region. It goes beyond surface-level analysis to explore the deeper implications of these factors on the populace. By examining the multifaceted impacts, the author sheds light on strategies and policies that can contribute to mitigating the risks associated with small arms and enhancing overall human security in the region.
Uploaded on Feb 16, 2025 | 0 Views
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
SMALL ARMS AND HUMAN SECURITY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: Beyond the conflict and fatal victims SVETLANA DJURDJEVIC-LUKIC PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH CENTRE
OVERVIEW Scope: BH, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo NGO partners Confluence of factors in the 1990s and nowadays Possession of small arms and high school students Dialogical approach: Tuzla, Bijeljina, Brcko Def: SALW carried and used by one or two people: handguns, assault rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, ammunition, land-mines, explosives Engenders a culture of violence Undermines the rule of law Threatens reconciliation
SALW CONTEXT HUMAN COSTS of small arms availability & misuse: 500.000 Conflict-related violence: deaths and injuries arising from inter-state and civil wars, collective political violence and civil unrests Non-conflict: homicide & victimization from criminal, gang & domestic disp Long-life; Low maintenance; Relatively cheap and easily available; Highly portable and so easily concealable INVOLVES: Security structures: state/non state, related professions Hunting, sport, trophy/ tradition Personal protection Crime related behavior
CONFLUENCE OF FACTORS 1990s Changed geopolitical/security environment Globalization fragmentation, new wars Economic factors Geographical transit route Unresolved conflicts/status issues, orgcrime networks, cultural encouragement of violence, with influx of economic factors, issues related to community cohesiveness, structure of security forces, quality of the judicial system, status of border area (2002) Sources of illegal weapons according to the international and national laws
LIMITS OF INTERVENTIONS Post-conflict DDR an element of peace treaties UN and OSCE documents Stability Pact for SEE SEE Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, UNDP (seesac.org) EU involvement: National Strategies, Action Plans Current activities: BH, Serbia, Montenegro Context specific; not linear progress, regressions; perceptions Surveys in BH & Kosovo (2009-2011;Saferworld, UNICEF, UNDP)
MANIFESTATIONS OF MISUSE oruzjenameti.org 466 news & opinions, 2012-2014 traditional and organized crime activities trans-border movement criminal armed groups vs security forces discovery of cashes of weapons and explosive from old or recent wars storage leaking armed attacks on law enforcement officials security structures involvement in weapons misuse ranging from cultural i.e. celebratory gunfire, to intimidation of colleagues or civilians, up to killing civilians in lieu with financial gains corruption of police officers such as returning weapons to criminals, or jeopardizing lives by inactivity not revoking firearms licenses
SPACES & LOCATIONS urban and rural areas private, professional and public space affected: private apartments; office space, school yard, in front of a kindergarten, behind a church, in parks, parking lots, train, traffic related incidents gym, restaurants, shopping malls Space of insecurity: school FGDs in BH, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia by partners Space of insecurity: community dialogues Bijeljina, Tuzla, Brcko
SMALL ARMS AND YOUTH BH mini case-study School-related violence Local perceptions about the environment of unfinished peace & unfinished state Blurring lines between illegal and legal, legitimate and illegitimate, victims and perpetrators in relation to illegal arms possession. Considered legitimate although it demonstrates either economic power or a person s role in the wars. Another form of illegal possession, more covert, even literary buried deeply, which is put in longer historical perspective and based on ethnic grievances i.e. community of co-ethnics preparedness
SMALL ARMS HUMAN SECURITY CROSS CUTTING Insecure individuals and communities: Luck of trust in the government /security structures Divided communities Crime GBV Rule of law enforcement problematic Key points: Interlinked factors behind proliferation of SALW still present Progress not necessary linear; micro location, political& economic situation There is no gun free areas and spaces Reinforcement of social, economic and legal inequalities in the community Between the lines: unfinished peace and unfinished state esp. BH
THE CASE OF SMALL ARMS THANK YOU! www.publicpolicy.rs
