What impact have small arms and light weapons (SALW) had on public health and human security in Albania? What steps has the Albanian government taken to control SALW and combat SALW proliferation? This report from the Center for Peace and Disarmament Education and Saferworld examines the impact and distribution of SALW and SALW control measures in Albania.
7.2 per cent of household survey respondents stated that they or a family member had been a victim of crime in the previous year. Armed theft and threats and accidental shootings were the most commonly suffered misuses of firearms, with others including intentional shootings, murder and revenge killings. Available data and media reports suggest that suicide and domestic violence are also significant SALW-related problems in Albania. Since the late 1990s the number of casualties attributable to firearms misuse has decreased, as has violent crime. Further progress in reducing accessibility, visibility and misuse of weapons, together with measures to increase public safety and confidence, is necessary to continue these trends.
Working with international organisations and civil society, the Albanian government has pioneered new approaches to weapons collection, such as weapons for development programmes. However, while initiatives since 1997 have been successful, collecting 200,000 illicit weapons, it is estimated that 200,000 illicit weapons still remain in civilian hands. Further findings on the Albanian government’s efforts to control SALW include the following:
- The armed forces have improved stockpile security by reducing the number of storage depots. However, no site conforms to the standards for effective stockpile security and management.
- Good progress has been made with the destruction of SALW and ammunition. However, sizeable surplus stocks remain in storage with no indication of when they will be destroyed.
- The degree to which Albania’s arms export control system complies with international commitments is unclear, due to lack of transparency.
- The harsh nature of the law on SALW possession and confusion over the legal basis for weapons possession hinder effective law enforcement in this area.
- Lack of inter-departmental cooperation and high staff turnover within government institutions have undermined attempts to deliver a coordinated response to SALW and security issues.
Priority areas for establishing an effective approach to tackling the negative impacts of SALW proliferation and misuse in Albania include:
- establishing the rule of law – it is essential that whatever action the government decides to take on SALW issues, changes are clearly codified in legislation and accompanying regulations;
- enhancing coordination and cooperation between and within government departments – effective SALW control is a multifaceted and complex exercise and requires collaboration and coordination from many different stakeholders;
- developing a national strategy for SALW control – addressing all elements of SALW control in a comprehensive manner is essential to successful implementation of specific projects and programmes;
- tackling SALW as part of a broader reform programme – SALW control should be incorporated into broader reform, poverty alleviation and development strategies to address socio-economic issues;
- encouraging more effective donor coordination – developing and implementing a coordinated SALW strategy will assist donors in providing coordinated and effective support to a government-led SALW control process; and,
- demonstrating the political will to tackle SALW and security problems – denying the existence of problems will not make them disappear. Publicly identifying and tackling SALW control challenges will demonstrate seriousness and commitment.
