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MEPs demand closer scrutiny of "blood diamonds" in CAR conflict

Xinhua, October 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Parliament (EP) urged diamond and logging companies on Thursday to do all they can to halt the trade in illegal diamonds and timber fueling the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR).

In a non-binding resolution passed on Thursday, the Parliament expressed deep concern over the situation in the CAR, "which could bring the country to the edge of civil war if the latest violence is not contained", MEPs said.

They highlighted the role of both the diamond and logging industries in the CAR. MEPs called on international diamond companies to look closely at the origin of their precious stones in order "to avoid fueling the conflict by purchasing illicitly extracted and traded diamonds".

According to an expert report by the UN, the illicit diamond trade, which partly finances major players in the conflict in the CAR, so-called "blood diamonds", is also impacting neighboring countries.

"140,000 carats of diamonds, worth 24 million U.S. dollars, have been illegally taken out of the country since the 2013 ban on the export of rough diamonds," said the report published in early September and sent to the CAR sanctions committee as well as a panel of UN Security Council experts.

The export of diamonds from the CAR was banned in May 2013 by the Kimberley Process, which represents 81 countries, including the United States, the EU members, Russia, China and all major diamond producing countries.

MEPs also urged European firms trading with logging companies in the CAR to abide by the EU Timber Regulation, which requires companies in the EU to monitor their sources so as to avoid importing illegally harvested timber.

Authorities in the Republic were urged to focus on "fighting against impunity" in what is a rapidly deteriorating security situation. The resolution deplored the fact that although the UN has declared an embargo on weapons in the CAR, rival militias are strengthening resources.

Almost half a million internally displaced people are now in urgent need of food, healthcare, water and sanitation, MEPs pointed out. Yet, humanitarian organizations have been among the victims in the latest outbreaks of violence.

Intercommunal strife in the CAR has claimed 60 lives in the capital Bangui so far this year. Endit