Conflict Diamonds And The Kimberly Process: Part II

Leaders in the global diamond industry have lashed out at the Kimberly Process (KP) for allowing Zimbabwe’s blood diamonds to reach the consumer market. The diamond trade monitor has faced criticism for how they define ‘blood diamond’ and this very definition is what they hid behind when they decided not to ban Zimbabwe from international trade last year. There was wide support for a ban on diamonds coming from the Chiadzwa mine because of abuses. However the KP refused to ban them because there is no conflict currently in Zimbabwe.

Conflict Diamonds And The Kimberly Process: Part I

Last year I blogged Does the Blood Diamond Scheme Really Work. Global Witness had reported that the Kimberly Process could be failing because loopholes had been discovered in the process. Now there seems to be another break in the system. What is a blood or conflict diamond? The Kimberly Process (KP) defines them as diamonds mined for the purpose of fueling some sort of unsanctioned war or conflict.

This definition is now a problem and of all the countries to redefine this is Zimbabwe. The country is home to the Marange diamond fields which is a small scale diamond producing mine since the 1980s when it was owned by DeBeers.

Does the Blood Diamond Scheme Really Work?

It was announced today by Global Witness that the Kimberly Process could be failing.  Now, the Kimberly Process is a certification scheme is which participating countries basically follow a chain of command with the diamonds they buy and sell.  A country who is selling must document through a series of steps where the diamond came from.  And the diamonds as well as the  paperwork must always be accompanied by a government-validated Kimberly Process certificate.