(Ecofin Agency) - The government must seize all the blood diamonds, sell them and use the money in the public interest. The Central African population must be able to benefit from its own natural resources. Such is the call made, some days ago, by Lucy Graham, legal adviser in Amnesty International's Business and Human Rights team, to Central African authorities.

On 30 September, Amnesty International released a report in which the organisation denounced the purchase of Central African diamonds by international companies who are not concerned about financing armed groups responsible for human rights violations in this country.

According to this report, Sodiam, the principal purchasing office of diamonds during the Central African conflict, established a stockpile of 60,000 carats of diamonds valued at US$7 million, bought and continues to buy diamonds financing the anti-balaka, a self-defence militia.

"At a time when the country is seeking to rebuild, the diamonds ought to be a blessing for it, and not a curse", added Lucy Graham, adding that "if companies bought blood diamonds, they must not be allowed to profit from them".

In her opinion, international diamond companies need to look closely at violations committed all along their supply chain, from child labour to questionable tax practices.