OSCE supports development of a public awareness-raising campaign on danger of misuse of weapons, ammunition and explosives in Montenegro

Through two working sessions on 2 and 3 November and 19 November, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a workshop dedicated to designing a public outreach campaign, to raise awareness on the dangers of misuse and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The campaign will be launched in 2022, and includes developing promotional videos, materials and activities to encourage citizens to return illegal weapons without any sanctions, or legal weapons they would like to dispose of safely.  

Communications Expert Danica Ilić facilitated the workshop with representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Police Directorate and the Ministry of Economic Development.

Mladen Marković, Chief Police Inspector and President of the Montenegrin Commission for Small Arms and Light Weapons said that this activity aims to prepare citizens and state institutions for the upcoming amendments to the Law on Weapons. “In an open and transparent manner, we want to raise citizens’ awareness of dangers and harmful consequences of possessing illegal weapons. We want to reduce the amount of illegal weapons and educate citizens about their rights and obligations related to this area, including the possibility of legalization and surrender of weapons without legal consequences,” said Marković.

The final draft of the campaign’s communication strategy and plan for implementation will be completed by mid-December.