Amy Barry: We are waiting for governments to act
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In 2003, three years before the sweaty torso and grungy Rhodesian accent of Leonardo DiCaprio propelled the issue of blood diamonds to international attention, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established as a way of cleaning up the diamond trade. The result of years of campaigning, it was designed to stop diamonds that finance conflict from entering the global market.
Industry, governments and civil society would work together to build a government-led import-export control scheme. It would restore credibility to an industry bruised by bad PR and, more importantly, prevent further civilian suffering, human rights abuses and conflict.
Six years after its creation and despite having all the tools in place, governments participating in the Kimberley Process are failing to address serious issues of non-compliance – smuggling, money laundering or human rights abuses. Zimbabwe is one of the most striking examples of this failure.
Kimberley Process participant governments must act immediately to restore the scheme's credibility. Firstly they should clarify and reassert the scheme's commitment to upholding basic human rights in the diamond sectors of participant countries. Secondly, members must act to improve and implement the scheme's monitoring mechanisms. Foot-dragging or obstructive behaviour by certain governments must not be tolerated. Finally, the KP must close major loopholes in cutting and polishing centres that allow conflict and illicit diamonds to reach international consumers. As a founding member of the Kimberley Process, Global Witness will be watching and waiting for governments to do the right thing.
The writer is head of communications at Global Witness, a campaign group
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Comments
The way to stop the blood diamond trade is to stop buying diamonds. What are you going to use them for anyway? There are many more rare and beautiful gemstones if you must have "bling".
We don't need import - export controls that will push the price of diamonds up, further fuelling the conflicts in poor African states that have enough troubles as it is.
If diamond prices were to be allowed to drop to their true level of value, there would be no illicit trade. There is no point in trying to sell something that is virtually worthless. Come on people, the damned things are mere baubles!
It explains some of the history of diamonds and the myth of why they are seen to be valuable.
I thank you
Firozali A Mulla