The Conflict Over Diamonds
A severe misconception lingers over the diamond industry and Africa; that is the idea that all diamonds from Africa are 'Conflict Diamonds.' The harshness of this statement and the strong political biases toward both sides leave many people too confused over the issue to sort truth from fiction. Below is a basic primer to shed some light on a global issue identified by the UN over two decades ago, but one that has existed for far longer.
Conflict Diamonds
(also called a blood diamond, converted diamond, hot diamond or a war diamond)
definition: a diamond mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity
Key areas identified for conflict diamond mining: Angola, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire (The Ivory Coast), The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), The Republic of Congo(also known as Congo Brazzaville)
A Basic History:
- First brought to public awareness by the UN in 1998 due to a conflict in Sierra Leone.
- During that time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's diamond production.
- Today, the flow of conflict diamonds has been reduced to considerably less than 1%.
- In December 2000, the UN adopted a resolution to support a certification process.
- On January 17 - 18 of 2001 the World Diamond Council was formed with the sole initial purpose of reducing or eliminating the mining and transaction of “conflict diamonds.”
- The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, popularly known as KPCS was developed by the World Diamond Council then approved by the UN on March 13, 2002. After two years of further negotiation and refinement the Scheme was officially created.
- The Kimberly Process certification system ensures that:
- any diamond originating from the participating country does not finance a rebel group or other entity seeking to overthrow a UN-recognized government
- No diamond is exported to any non-member of the KPCS
- No diamond is imported from any non-member of the KPCS
- Currently 74 governments are participating in the KPCS and 99% of the world's diamonds are determined “conflict-free.”
- A recent development has been “Conflict-Neutral diamonds” created by The Ethical Diamond Company, which registers and certifies charitable donations made from the sale of conflict-free diamonds. These donations go to organizations working for the betterment of areas affected directly or indirectly by unethical diamond trade.
For more information visit these sites:
The World Diamond Council: http://www.diamondfacts.org/ (An excellent site presenting information on both the positives of the diamond mining industry as well as facts about the mining of conflict diamonds)
United Nations conflict diamond page: http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html
The Global Policy Forum: http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/diamond/index.htm
The Ethical Diamond Ring Co: http://www.conflictneutral.com