§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the introduction of a United Nations embargo on the import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone. [130797]
§ Mr. HainThe United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1306(2000) on 5 July which prohibits the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to the territory of member states. The resolution also decides that rough diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime shall be exempt from the measures when the UN Sanctions Committee on Sierra Leone has reported to the Council that an effective regime is fully in operation.
Britain played a leading role in promoting resolution 1306 in the UN Security Council. Diamonds are at the heart of the tragedy in Sierra Leone and this resolution sends a powerful signal about the need to end the trade in conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone.
The embargo on Sierra Leone rough diamonds is established for an initial period of 18 months. At the end of this period the Security Council will review the situation in Sierra Leone, including the extent of the Government's authority over the diamond-producing areas, in order to decide whether to extend the restrictions for a further period, and if necessary, to modify them or adopt further measures.
The embargo is implemented in the UK by means of an amendment to the Open General Import Licence. Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946 will be made to implement the restrictions in the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.