The kimberley process is an international initiative established to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream diamond market. Established in 2003, it now has 82 member countries involved.
The Kimberley Process is a tripartite system lasenorita composed of governments, industry and civil society as observers. They meet twice annually for plenary sessions and hold monthly teleconferences to monitor adherence and progress on projects.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process is an international initiative designed to halt the trade in diamonds that fuel conflict. It has had a positive effect on crime rates and restricted funds and supplies going to rebel groups throughout Africa.
The Kimberley Process operates by allowing any country that imports or exports diamonds to join. Each shipment of diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate, and they may only be traded among members of the process.
Who participates in the Kimberley Process?
In May 2000, diamond-producing states concerned by the trade in “conflict diamonds” came together to develop a framework for mitigating these impacts. This led to the formation of the Kimberley Process – an international certification scheme which regulates 99.8% of all rough diamond trade globally for conflict-free gemstones.
Participants include all major diamond producing, exporting and importing countries as well as the diamond industry and civil society organizations. The KP is a consensus-driven process that relies on constructive engagement from all its members.
What is the Kimberley Process’s definition of conflict diamonds?
The Kimberley Process defines conflict diamonds as rough diamonds mined in areas where armed groups have engaged in fighting against government authorities. Usually, these rough gems are then sold to merchants or smuggled into other countries for sale on the open market.
Governments wishing to become members of the Kimberley Process must certify that their diamond sales do not fund rebel groups or other entities seeking to overthrow a UN-recognized government. Furthermore, all diamond exports must include an official Kimberley Process certificate as evidence.
How does the Kimberley Process work?
The Kimberley Process is an international organization created to regulate the diamond industry. It strives to prevent the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ – diamonds used as funding for war crimes or human rights violations by rebel movements seeking to overthrow legitimate governments.
In May 2000, a group of African diamond-producing states convened in Kimberley, South Africa for the start of this process.
Since then, the diamond trade has worked to certify rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. This initiative has helped save lives, create jobs and provide support to governments in areas where conflict-diamond trading has often encouraged armed rebellion.
Is the Kimberley Process effective?
In 2000, the Kimberley Process was established in South African town of Kimberley to combat what then was known as “blood diamonds” – an organized grassroots campaign against poaching of diamonds.
The success of the Kimberley Process relies on both national legislation and industry self-regulation. Under this system, every shipment of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a government-validated Kimberley Process certificate certifying its conflict-free origin.
Although the Kimberley Process has made some progress in slowing down diamond trade from conflict regions, there remain still flaws and corruption within the diamond industry. As a result, some Belgian legislators have declared that the Kimberley Process is ineffective at all.
What is a conflict-free diamond?
Conflict-free diamonds refer to stones sourced ethically. This means they have no connections to miner’s involved in violence, child labor or other forms of social and environmental harm.
History has labeled diamonds illegally traded in war zones as “blood diamonds”. Since Sierra Leone’s civil war of the 1990s, these gems had become a cause for concern as they were mined by rebel groups and used to fund their fight against government authorities.
Thankfully, the diamond industry has taken steps to revolutionize how diamonds are produced and sold. Agreements like the Kimberley Process guarantee that diamonds are safely mined and shipped without any involvement with rebel or terror groups.
How can I buy a conflict-free diamond?
When purchasing a diamond, always opt for conflict-free gems. These gems aren’t mined from war-torn regions and don’t employ child labor or other human rights violations in their production.
Thankfully, many jewelers go beyond basic Kimberley Process certifications to guarantee their diamonds are ethically sourced. Some even provide blockchain-tracked diamonds – an ideal option for those who wish to avoid supporting the blood diamond industry.
Conclusion
The Kimberley Process has significantly reduced the supply of conflict diamonds on the market, but some mines don’t adhere to high ethical standards. Therefore, it is essential for consumers to know how to safely shop for a conflict-free stone.
