“Throughout the history of Africa, whenever a substance of value has been found, the locals die in great number and in misery. Now, this was true of ivory, rubber, gold and oil. It is now true of diamonds. According to a devastating report by Global Witness these stones are being used to purchase arms and finance civil war. We must act to prohibit the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from conflict zones.”
– Blood Diamond
“The U.S is responsible for two-thirds of all diamond purchases worldwide. We must remember that these stones comprise only a small percentage of the legitimate diamond industry, whose trade is crucial for the economies of many emerging nations.”
“It’s true, current estimates are that conflict stones account for only 15 percent of the market. But in a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry that means hundreds of millions of dollars are available for weapons in these conflict zones.”
– Blood Diamond
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This was true of the civil war in Sierra Leone of 1999 and this is true of many conflict zones in 2007. As we in the western world purchase luxurious diamonds to wear, civil wars and conflicts are financed in Africa and thousands of people die. Most people do not want to buy blood diamonds if they know about them, but how can you be sure where the diamonds of your necklace or wedding ring have been purchased? If we know that the blood diamonds account for fifteen percent of the market then no one can be sure where their diamonds come from. Yes, in 2003 forty nations signed “the Kimberley Process”; an effort to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. But illegal diamonds are still finding their way to the market. How often do you see a sign saying “made of blood diamonds” when looking for jewellery? It is up to you as a consumer to insist that diamonds are conflict free.
Blood diamonds are a big problem and therefor this is only the first post I will make about them. My next post will be more focused on the civil war in Sierra Leone. This will as always include, articles, pages and more.
To buy the movie Blood Diamond click here
(Review coming soon)
–Kajsa, Admin Twende Twende
admin.twende.twende@gmail.com
i think diamonds shouldnt be sold until this problem in africa is solved!
As it is the economies of many african countries is depending on the diamond trade. A lot of these countries are not even participating in the illegal conflict diamond trade. If the diamond trade would cease these countries would suffer huge economical losses and many would die.
So, if we are to cease the diamond trade the african countries who are depending on diamonds have to be able to support themselves in another way. Also, if we stop the diamond trade there will be a huge craving for diamonds and the smugglers would increase and conflict diamonds would still be sold. There is even a risk that more conflict diamonds for a better price will go into the market. If this happens more money will go to arms and finance wars.
The question is, how do we stop the smugglers? Right now a man can walk across many borders with his pockets full of conflict diamonds without being stopped. How’s that? Well, there’s no border control! That could be one thing to start with.
Check out this new initiative:
http://www.banishbling.org
Peace,
E