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In May 2000, responding to a growing grassroots movement on "blood diamonds," governments and the diamond industry came together in the South African town of Kimberley to combat the trade in diamonds from conflict zones. The result of these negotiations was the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, setting up an internationally recognized certification system for rough diamonds and establishing national import/export standards. In November 2002, 52 governments ratified and adopted the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which was fully implemented in August 2003.
The Kimberley Process was seriously flawed from the beginning. The Kimberley system of "voluntary self-regulation" on the part of the diamond industry has meant a significant lack of transparency and independent monitoring efforts. The World Diamond Council, initially established to represent the diamond industry at the Kimberley Process, has failed to coordinate effective industry monitoring. Governments, too, have been uninterested in monitoring and regulating the diamond trade. Some say the Kimberley Process amounted to little more than a public relations stunt for the diamond industry, and recent reports by Global Witness and other NGOs have found little evidence of genuine attempts to deliver on industry commitments.
World Diamond Council and Jewellers' Documents
De Beers' O'Ferrall Gives Conflict Diamonds Speech at Basel (April 9, 2002)
The director of corporate and public affairs of De Beers gave a speech in which he emphasized combating the trade in conflict diamonds. O'Ferrall also praised the self-regulatory measures established by the Kimberley Process, which many critics have declared inadequate. (Rappaport News)
WDC Praises Passage of UN Conflict Diamond Resolution (December 6, 2000)
A World Diamond Council press release praises what it calls the "united front" between nations and the diamond industry. A law firm commissioned by the WDC is currently drafting model conflict diamond legislation for individual states.
Jewellers of America to Speak at Congressional Hearing (September 15, 2000)
Gemological Institute of America President William E. Boyajian testified to a US trade subcommittee that "we do not believe that scientific and practical means exist today for determining the country of origin of rough and polished diamonds". GPF thinks that he should read the report by Global Witness.
World Diamond Council Calls for International Government Action on Conflict Diamonds (September 8, 2000)
Press release from the World Diamond Council outlining steps for rough trade diamonds and calling for government cooperation to restrict trade in conflict situations.
Key Documents
Diamonds and Human Security, Annual Review (October 2009)
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which regulates the world trade in rough diamonds, is the only thing standing between the industry and a return to blood diamonds. And it is failing, according to the 2009 edition of Partnership Africa Canada's Diamonds and Human Security Annual Review. The failure of the KP, the report says, is not caused by warlords and sanctions busters but by governments at the centre of its administration which refuse to get tough on blatant smuggling, human rights abuse and money laundering. (Partnership Africa Canada)
The Kimberley Process at Risk (November 2006)
While acknowledging the progress made in regulating "conflict diamond" trade thanks to the Kimberley Process, this Global Witness report points out some important loopholes in the diamond certification scheme. The lack of strong actions to strengthen the process and to respond to illicit diamond trade puts at stake the credibility of the Kimberley Process, the organization says. This report recommends greater government control and better oversight of the diamond industry.
Killing Kimberley? Conflict Diamonds and Paper Tigers (November 2006)
This Partnership Africa Canada report points to the failures of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for rough diamonds. Countries and industries' poor implementation of Kimberley regulations and a lack of control have led to massive fraud, as well as diamonds smuggling from various embargoed countries, such as Ivory Coast. In each case, participants in the Kimberley Process have been unable or unwilling to take action to abolish diamond related criminality. Partnership Africa, a pro-Kimberley Process organization, urges governments and industries to make significant changes in the Kimberley Process to effectively monitor conflict diamonds, including national internal controls and a penalty system.
An Independent Commissioned Review Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Kimberley Process (April 2006)
The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) has vastly reduced the market for conflict diamonds, cutting off a major source of funding for rebel groups and militias involved in conflict. Despite progress this Global Witness report warns that the KPCS is still not a "fully credible check on the international movement of diamonds." It calls for individual countries to exercise much greater scrutiny of their own internal control systems and highlights the need for much stronger checks on the activities of private industry.
Making it Work: Why the Kimberley Process Must Do More to Stop Conflict Diamonds (November 15, 2005)
This Global Witness report highlights flaws in the implementation of the Kimberley Process. The systems of controls put in place by governments to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds are poorly enforced and as a result, some members of the diamond industry continue to trade in conflict diamonds. Although sanctioned by the Security Council, diamonds mined in Liberia are traded in Sierra Leone and Guinea, both Kimberley Process participants. Furthermore, the diamond trade in Ivory Coast helps fund the rebel group Forces Nouvelles, which contributes to the ongoing instability in the region. Global Witness calls on the Security Council to impose sanctions on Ivorian diamonds.
The Essential Guide to Implementing The Kimberley Process (February, 2003)
The World Diamond Council (WDC) publishes this guide that outlines the steps that firms in the diamond industry must take to effectively implement the new system designed to eliminate the flow of conflict diamonds.
Kimberley Process Working Document (March 20, 2002)
The final document produced by the Kimberley Process negotiations identifying the core components of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.
Possibilities for the Identification, Certification, and Control of Diamonds (May 15, 2000)
This working report by Global Witness addresses the issue of the diamond conflict by providing an outline for certification of the diamond trade.
Articles
2009
Trade in Conflict Diamonds Escalates (November 18, 2009)
For many years, the Kimberley Process (KP) has covered 99 percent of the global trade in rough diamonds, but this is no longer the case, says the spokesman for the KP International Civil Society Coalition. Although the KP has made progress in cleaning up the trade in rough diamonds since its creation 10 years ago, today between 4% and 5% of the global diamond trade is either circumventing or defrauding KP channels. The KP possesses the tools necessary to address these challenges, but often lacks the political will and capacity to use them. The recent KP plenary meeting provided an occasion to assess the ways in which the process should be reformed. (The Liberian Observer)
Zimbabwe, Diamonds and the Wrong Side of History (March 2009)
This report shows that Zimbabwe's economy remains dependent on the state-controlled diamond industry. According to the authors, the Kimberly process (KP) is ineffective, and Zimbabwe continues to export blood diamonds for profit. The Kimberly process has a very narrow focus on the prevention of diamond smuggling and cannot deal with human right abuses committed during diamond production. This report recommends that sharing information about arrests, seizures and convictions in KP-related criminal cases would improve the struggle against blood diamond production. (Partnership Africa Canada)
2008
Loupe Holes – Illicit Diamonds in the Kimberly Process (November 2008)
The Kimberly process fails to accomplish its goal to halt and prevent the trafficking of conflict diamonds because participating countries fail to punish violations of the process or to enforce controls. To make the Kimberly process effective, countries must develop a mechanism that can temporary suspend a non-complying country from the process. Participants should also publish the efforts they take to curb the smuggling of conflict diamonds. (Partnership Africa Canada)
Diamonds and Human Security Annual Review 2008 (October 22, 2008)
The trade in illicit rough diamonds increases, in spite of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme that seeks to eliminate illegal diamond trafficking. In Venezuela, 100 percent of the diamonds produced vanish every year and Ivory Coast remains the major source of conflict diamonds. Although some countries have curbed the trade in blood diamonds, large foreign mining companies and corrupt governmental officials still exploit and underpay local diamond miners. (Partnership Africa Canada)
Conflict Diamonds and the Peace Process in Cote d'Ivoire (June 2008)
This Bonn International Center for Conversion report argues that the 2005 Security Council diamond embargo is unable to diminish the illegal diamond trade in Cote d'Ivoire or stop fueling the violent conflict between Ivorian rebels and the army. Belgium, Dubai and Israel still purchase conflict diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire since the monitoring system remains weak and because UN forces are unable to protect the country's diamond mining zones.
Liberia: UN Panel Raises Concerns Over Diamond Trade (September 3, 2008)
The UN panel of experts on Liberia stated in its June report to the Security Council that Liberia does not comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which seeks to defer the trafficking of "blood diamonds". Although the Liberian government installed a system of internal controls, officials lack the training and equipment to monitor the diamond trade effectively. As a result, dealers can still trade "blood diamonds" to and from Liberia. (The News)
2007
Congo's Diamond Industry Let Back into Kimberly Process (November 9, 2007)
The European Union joined African countries in establishing the Kimberly Process (KP) in 2002 to deal with diamonds that fuel conflict in Africa. Two years later, DR Congo, a KP member, smuggled diamonds to the EU and Middle East, which resulted in its expulsion from the KP. The DR Congo has made improvements controlling its illegal trade of rough diamonds and re-joined the KP, soon it will resume exporting diamonds. However, the Kimberly Process still have concerns about Congo's porous border and "blood diamonds." (Voice of America)
2006
General Assembly Backs Kimberley Process to Prevent Diamonds from Funding Conflict (December 4, 2006)
In light of the recent discoveries of loopholes in the Kimberley certification scheme in Ivory Coast, as well as some South American countries, the participants to the Kimberley Process have called for stronger internal controls on "conflict diamonds." The UN General Assembly welcomed this call in a Botswana-sponsored resolution and supported the Kimberley Process while recognizing that "trade in conflict diamonds continues to be a matter of serious international concern." (UN News)
Ghana Under the Gun Over Illicit Gem Trade (November 7, 2006)
Pressured by the uncovering of "conflict diamond" smuggling in Ghana, the Kimberley Process' annual meeting threatened to suspend Ghana from the certification scheme if it fails to put an end to black market diamonds trafficking. While observers welcome the call of the Kimberley Process participants, they regret the lack of immediate actions. (Reuters)
De Beers Backs Criticism of "Blood Diamond" Watchdog (November 1, 2006)
In response to the recent fraud scandals surrounding the certification of diamonds from conflict regions, De Beers, a major diamonds industrial group, has joined the mounting criticisms of the Kimberley Process. De Beers, also fearing the fallout from the Hollywood movie "The Blood Diamonds," stresses the need to enforce diamond trade controls and to address the deficiencies of the Kimberley Process. With its statement, De Beers backs NGOs' call on governments and industries to effectively enforce Kimberley regulations. (Reuters)
Triple Jeopardy - Triplicate Forms and Triple Borders: Controlling Diamond Exports from Guyana (April 2006)
This Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) report reveals that as much as 20 percent of Guyana's diamonds - worth an estimated US$43 million annually - are smuggled illegally to Brazil and Venezuela, both Kimberley Process participants. According to PAC, this illicit diamond smuggling system undermines the Kimberley Process and leaves the diamond industry "wide open to laundered conflict diamonds from other countries, such as Cí´te d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo." PAC calls for the expulsion of Brazil and Venezuela from the world diamond trade body if they cannot immediately bring their diamond industries into proper compliance with the Kimberley Process.
2004
Controlling Diamonds (November 29, 2004)
This Washington Post editorial argues that although the Kimberley Process "got off to a good start," Russia's 2005 chairmanship may jeopardize the "fragile" certification system. Governments and the diamond industry lack transparency and accountability, preventing the Kimberley Process from effectively combating the trade in conflict diamonds. Russia has declined to publish diamond trade statistics and countries such as the US, Japan, China, Thailand, and Namibia have refused to set dates for reviewers to visit.
Déja Vu: Diamond Industry Still Failing to Deliver on Promises (October 2004)
This report by Amnesty International and Global Witness summarizes the results of an ongoing survey evaluating diamond jewelry retailers' compliance with the Kimberley Process. The report concludes that the diamond industry shows a "continued lack of systematic monitoring" to prevent trade in conflict diamonds and that "voluntary self-regulation" does not work.
South Africa Shines in Diamond Compliance (September 26, 2004)
A Kimberley Process delegation visited South Africa after an invitation by the government to monitor compliance in the diamond industry. Of the process, a De Beers spokesman said the world's largest diamond producer is "100% supportive in word and deed." (Sunday Times)
Congo Suspended From World Diamond Trade (July 10, 2004)
The Kimberly Process expelled the Republic of Congo from the legitimate international diamond trade network because of its continued sale of black market, "blood" diamonds. The UN-backed Commission accused the country of illegally smuggling diamonds from neighboring countries, thereby fueling conflicts in the region. (Associated Press)
2003
NGOs Urge Greater Transparency of Diamond Control (October 29, 2003)
Some governments in the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme are reluctant to enact self-monitoring measures, arguing that such measures fall outside the scope of the initiative. Said one NGO representative, "it is ironic that there should be any objections, especially since it's a voluntary system." (UN Integrated Regional Information Network)
New List of Kimberley Process Member Countries (July 31, 2003)
This statement provides a list of the countries that meet the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme. (Rapaport News)
UN Backs Scheme to Block Blood Diamond Trade (April 15, 2003)
The UN passed a resolution supporting the ongoing Kimberley Process to curb trade in conflict diamonds. Approximately 3,700,000 people have died during the past decade in wars waged mainly for control of diamond areas. (Environmental News Service)
The First Real Test of the Kimberley Process Is In The Central African Republic (March 18, 2003)
Global Witness wants to temporarily suspend the Central African Republic from the Kimberley Process. Since rebels have seized power, the country is in violation of Kimberley regulations and should be banned from trading in diamonds, says a campaigner.
Al-Qaeda Funded by 'Blood Diamonds' (February 9, 2003)
David Crane, the chief prosecutor of the UN special court for Sierra Leone, claims that al-Qaeda uses "blood diamonds" to fund its international operations. The Kimberly process could limit al-Qaeda's exploitation of the diamonds, but Crane is skeptical of the diamond industry's commitment to create an independent certification system. (Ottawa Citizen)
'Blood Diamond' Crackdown to Begin (January 28, 2003)
The Kimberley Process' punitive measures, such as confiscating diamonds without proper certification, will come into effect starting February. Experts remain skeptical about the impact of the process. (Business Day)
2002
AFRICA: EC Urged to Extend Regulations on Blood Diamonds (November 21, 2002)
European diamond traders, including Belgian and British companies, continue to engage in trading conflict diamonds. Global Witness calls for extending the Kimberly regulations to the European Commission (EC).(IRINnews)
Deadly Diamonds (November 13, 2002)
The Kimberly process depends on the cooperation of private dealers, the very people who have been fueling "blood diamond" conflicts for years. This article reveals some inconsistent aspects of the Kimberly process and its weak moral stance. (Harvard Crimson)
Kimberley Accord Marks First Success of Nepad (November 13, 2002)
Propelled by significant common interests and consensus among forty-five governments, the Kimberly process succeeded in its first phase. After the UN General Assembly adopts the certification process, the main challenges will be adherence, compliance and monitoring. (Business Day)
Jewellers in Dark About Blood Gems (November 7, 2002)
European retailers and bodies like the Antwerp High Diamond Council (HRD) are unaware of the new Kimberley scheme. The World Diamond Council and NGOs will make efforts to educate sellers and buyers of diamonds. (Business Day)
Diamond Scheme Crystallizes but NGO Concerns Remain (November 5, 2002)
While NGOs generally welcome the Kimberly Process, a certification model that will help stop the sale of diamonds used to fund rebel wars, they express concern over loopholes and the lack of independent monitoring. (Reuters)
45 Countries Set to Back Rules Against 'Blood' Diamond Trade (November 4, 2002)
Representatives of 45 countries, which include the United States, are to give formal approval to the Kimberley Process, a system to prevent 'blood' diamond trade. The new rules have failed to provide a detailed and credible self-regulation system, say the advocacy groups that first inspired the debate. (New York Times)
Diamonds Still Drip Blood: Coalition Calls for Immediate Reform of New Diamond Regulations (November 4, 2002)
The Kimberly Process is necessary, but not sufficient, to end the traffic of "dirty diamonds," says the US Campaign to Eliminate Conflict Diamonds. To ensure that diamonds are clean, the Process would need an independent monitoring system. (Amnesty International)
The Kimberley Process: The Case for Proper Monitoring (October 28, 2002)
Diamonds and Human Security Project argues that the Kimberly Process' provisions require much stronger multilateral measures. Otherwise, it will create a false sense of security, allowing the conflict diamond trade to continue.
Canada Takes Further Measures to Combat Illicit Global Trade in Conflict (October 10, 2002)
Canada supports the Kimberley Process certification scheme that is designed to curb the global illicit trade in conflict diamonds and cut off sources of rebel funding in affected African countries. (Canadian Corporate Newswire)
Scientists Struggle to Identify Conflict Diamonds (August 10, 2002)
Can chemistry and physics help to identify conflict diamonds? This article explores ways science could complement the Kimberley Process. (Science News)
Brussels Unveils Ban on African Blood Diamonds (August 9, 2002)
The European Commission made public a proposal banning imports of rough diamonds without a certificate proving they are not "conflict diamonds." The NGO Global Witness says that "the Commission's proposals are stricter than the Kimberley Process." (Independent)
Agreement Reached on 'Conflict Diamonds' (March 21, 2002)
Diamond industry representatives, human rights groups and government officials agree that all diamonds must come with certificates of origin. The negotiations known as the Kimberley Process began in May 2000 and are aimed at preventing the diamond trade from funding African civil wars. (Associated Press)
NGO Report on the Ottowa Kimberley Process Meeting (March 20, 2002)
NGOs present a mixed review of the final Kimberley Process agreement. NGOs continue to advocate a regular, external, independent monitoring mechanism; governments who negotiated the agreement were only willing to allow for monitoring missions when there are "credible indications of significant non-compliance." (Partnership Africa Canada)
Conflict Diamonds- More Bad News (February 14, 2002)
A group of eight NGOs remind us that as people give diamonds to their loved ones on Valentine's day, they still have no way of knowing where these diamonds come from, or whether they have contributed to gross human rights abuses. The "Report Card," on the Kimberly Process highlights the shortcomings in the proposed certification system, described as a "watchdog with no teeth." (Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa)
2001
Can Controls Work? (December 2001)
This briefing document by Global Witness points out shortcomings in the Kimberly Process proposals for international diamond certification, with specific reference to Angola. The proposals lack measures for verification and monitoring, which are crucial to reducing illegal trade in conflict diamonds.
Diamond Diplomacy (November 29, 2001)
The Bush administration's has objected to proposed international diamond certification accords on the grounds of free trade, thus threatening to undermine the entire Kimberly process. It has also pushed for the weakening of a bill in Congress that would help to restrict the flow of dirty diamonds into the US. (New York Times)
Plans Against 'Conflict Diamonds' Spurred (November 12, 2001)
Government representatives and diamond producers will meet in Gabarone later this month to finalize plans to end international trade in conflict diamonds. However, countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa warn that any agreement must include measures to protect legitimate producers. (Agence France Presse)
Progress At Kimberley Process Meeting (November 2, 2001)
The world's major diamond producing and trading companies have come close to establishing an international protocol for the certification of rough diamonds. The agreement looks like it will proceed to fruition, despite various member states' concerns over state sovereignty, and US reservations over whether the new regulations will comply with WTO rules. (IRIN)
Kimberly Process Delegates Adopt Conflict Diamond Certification System (July 6, 2001)
Delegates from diamond importing countries agreed to adopt "minimum acceptable standards" for a certification system to stem the trade of conflict diamonds. (Rapaport News)
