Kimberley Process delegates meeting in Johannesburg

Representatives from the 81 countries that have adopted the Kimberley Process are meeting in Johannesburg to discuss proposals that will give them more power to staunch the flow of blood diamonds into the mass market. If these changes are made, Kimberley Process participants will be able to act against peddlers and recipients of diamonds that have been mined by rebel movements to fund insurrection.

The meeting

The meeting was opened on Nov. 19 by Ambassador Welile Nhlapho​, who represents South Africa. He expressed hope that the delegates present would address the organizations failures and work together to empower the struggle against conflict diamonds.

"Through its certification of rough diamonds, in countries emerging from conflict, the Kimberly Process can also continue to assist on the post conflict reconstruction and development of these countries," Nhlapo told Deutsche Welle.

The KP delegates have discussed reform measures. These changes would require mandatory control and licensing of diamond mines, offer security and licenses to artisanal miners, and create the necessary registration of all diamond buyers and sellers, exporters, agents and courier companies.

"We need to ensure the routing of cash purchases through official banking channels is supported by verified documentation," civil society coalition representative Shamiso Mtisi told DW.

Conflict diamonds

The KP was created in 2003 as a measure to stop blood diamonds from entering markets. These gems are defined as being mined by rebel forces and then sold to fund their campaigns against legitimate governments. The money they received from the sales went to purchase the arms used during extremely violent endeavors that caused harm and suffering to civilians. People unknowingly supported the violence by purchasing jewelry made with these gems. Many involved in the diamond market now work with the KP to ensure their customers are not inadvertently supporting warfare.

The Brian Gavin team is one such jeweler that ensures the use of ethical diamonds.