Blood Diamonds

 This informative essay explains some facts about Conflict Diamonds, also known as blood diamonds. Its flow in the diamond market and its affect on the consumer is also discussed. “To discuss what are conflict diamonds; its flow in the market and its affect on the consumer is analyzed.”

 Conflict diamonds are also known as blood diamonds, war diamonds or hot diamonds. These are the diamonds, which are mined from war zone. United Nations defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces opposed to recognize government….and are used to fund military action in opposition to those government.” It is normally in rough form.  

 Conflict diamonds were brought to attention in the early 1990’s. Conflict diamonds played a role in the Africa’s civil war. In these wars, innocent people and hundreds of men and women are caught up and treated as slaves to extract diamonds illegally. These diamonds were then smuggled and sold by the rebels to war against the government. In the civil war of Africa thousands of people died by the rebels. These rebels got funds from these diamonds. Conflict diamonds were sold to finance the war with the government officials. It can be said that these diamonds are used as fuels. Rebels and militants also fight for these diamond territories. Several lives are lost in this too. Innocent people are abused to make them extract diamonds for the war. Killings, beatings, torture, child labor, forced labor and many other ways are used to abuse the people. In republic of Congo alone 1,500 people are killed during a civil war. This blood bath is fueled by these diamonds. Human life is very much affected by these diamonds. A report has said that much of this is still happening in some parts of Africa. "The government in Congo has no idea where 40% of its diamonds come from - they could be coming from Angola or Zimbabwe or even from Mars," Mr Smilie says. These are the conflict diamonds, which are mined illegally.

Kimberley Process was introduced to stem the flow of conflict diamonds into diamond market. It was founded to make sure that the trade of blood diamonds is prevented from the customers. From this process, blood diamonds are identified. This process ensures that all the rough diamonds are certified and then sold or exported in the market by legitimate reasons. The member countries under this process make sure that their shipment of rough diamond is certified as ‘conflict-free’. Each shipment carries that where the diamond has came from and how it has been extracted. It also includes that how the diamond is cut and how it has been polished. All the ways should be legitimate to get the Kimberly Process certificate. One should pass national legislation upon import/export control system for conflict diamonds. The aim of this process is to block the sales of blood diamonds. If this process is properly ensured it will made life harder for criminals. Its weakness is that the government officials are easily bribed to get the Kimberley Process certificate. One can bribe any one by his money to smuggle the blood diamonds. In my opinion if every member under this process works loyally and efficiently this process will work. This process has failed due to the corrupt nature of government officials. Chairman Gooch of Global Witness said, “Nearly nine years after the process was launched, the sad truth is that most consumers still cannot be sure where their diamonds came from.”  The first member to leave the program of Kimberley Process is the group of Global Witness. Gooch also said, “The scheme failed all three big tests”. Their team accuses Zimbabwean government that their army has been involved in human rights abuses in the diamond mining areas. Their view is that the Kimberley Process does not accept this reality and that consumer should stop buying gems from Marange Fields and the industry should stop supplying these diamonds. They were okay with the process but when the team of Global Witness heard reports of human abuses by government forces, they withdraw themselves from Kimberley Process. Each diamond industry should demonstrate that the diamonds they sell are not fuelling abuses.

 It is being observed that with the failure of Kimberley Process there is full possibility that the trade of conflict diamonds will revive. It is a serious threat as many people have already suffered from this illegal trade and if it will not be blocked it will create a serious threat to the human life. Illegitimate trade of blood diamonds are a reason for many civil wars. The war between the rebels and the government officials causes threat to human life. Also in the extraction of these diamonds thousands of men, women and children are abused.  A consumer has the power to get knowledge of what he is buying. One should get details about the diamonds he is buying. Demanding proof that a diamond is conflict-free gives a message to the world that nobody will support an industry or nation that helps fund terror groups. Change will not happen overnight but if everyone remains persistent in keeping the diamond trade conflict free, this change will surely occur. As it is the right of every customer to get a conflict-free diamond it is his duty, that he is aware of the details, like where the diamond came from, how is it cut and how it is being polished. This will create awareness among the people as well as the retailers. This will make the retailers to be careful not to take blood diamonds.

The future of conflict diamonds is not confirmed. But it can be said that if people work honestly under the scheme known as Kimberley Process blood diamonds will become extinct and a conflict-free trade will be established. To ensure the outcome of this process everyone should play their role to stop the illegitimate and illegal trade of blood diamonds.

Conclusion:

            From the above discussion it can be concluded that conflict or blood diamonds are used as fuels in the civil wars; it causes serious threat to human life. The Kimberley Process founded to block the trade of blood diamonds was a beneficial move but due to the corrupt nature of many people, it is failed.

Works Cited

1.   John Eligon. Global Witness Quits Group on Blood Diamonds, 5 Dec, 2011 retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/world/africa/global-witness-quits-group-on-blood-diamonds.html?_r=0

2.  James Melik. Diamonds: Does the Kimberley Process Work? ,28 June, 2010 retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10307046

3 Paul Armstrong. How Diamonds Fuel Africa's Conflicts, 16 May, 2012 retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/26/world/africa/blood-diamonds/index.html