HL Deb 24 July 2000 vol 616 c18WA
Baroness Howells of St Davids

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United Nations has introduced an embargo on the import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone. [HL3336]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The 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. It is implemented in a similar manner in the Isle of Man. Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946 have been made to implement the restrictions in the other Crown Dependencies and in the Overseas Territories.