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AI demands end to diamond trade

    ABIDJAN

    Amnesty International (AI) is demanding an end to the international trade in diamonds from rebel-held areas of Sierra Leone, it said in a news release on Wednesday.

    “Governments, companies and trading bodies, particularly the Diamond High Council based in Antwerp, Belgium, must take immediate steps to prevent the trade in diamonds mined from areas of Sierra Leone controlled by the RUF,” AI stated. It added that other major centres of diamond operations including the UK, Israel and India, must take similar steps.

    Despite a UN arms embargo, there is evidence to suggest that diamonds from Sierra Leone have been used to fund the transfer of weapons to Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels from various countries. This includes the transit through Liberia and Burkina Faso of weapons from Ukraine and Bulgaria, AI said. Both countries have denied links to the RUF.

    In response to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s latest report on Sierra Leone, the Security Council reminded all States of their obligation to implement the arms embargo against the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

    It also expressed its willingness to consider further measures to strengthen the sanctions regime.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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