Ban 'blood diamonds' now say Amnesty

Charlotte Browne

Human rights campaigners have targeted retailers in London's jewellery centre to warn them about the importance of not selling gems used to fund wars.

Three years after an international agreement that outlawed the sale of so-called 'conflict diamonds', known as the Kimberley Process, Amnesty International has turned its attention to the capital's famed Hatton Garden district.

Kerry Barner, of Amnesty, said that some jewellers were very pro-active and produced certificates to show their commitment to the process, in particular the jewellers Davril and Justice. She added however that:  "Some didn't have anything to say. Pronuptia de Paris and John M Reynolds couldn't wait to hurry us out of the shops."

The Kimberley Process was initiated by the United Nations to ensure lucative diamond profits do not fund conflicts in war-torn African countries or support oppressive regimes. 50 governments including the UK and America are signed up to the process.

Barner believes it's important to keep the public aware of this issue.  "The percentage of diamonds in circulation funded by conflict is now one percent. This is a considerable achievement but the Kimberley process is relatively self-regulated and though retailers may be verbally committed to it, it may not be properly enforced. There is evidence that retailers will just buy off anyone who's selling the cheaper diamonds."

At the height of the civil wars in Angola and Sierra-Leone fifteen percent of diamonds in circulation were funding conflicts in these areas. Annie Dunnebacke from Global Witness is cynical about the pride the diamond industry have in lowering the figures.

She said:  "Although the Kimberley Process had a positive effect, the fact is there are now less wars so there are less traders. And the one percent figure is still enough to wreak havoc. It's disingenuous of retailers not to acknowledge this." She added that the internal controls within each participating country of the Kimberley Process, must be strengthened and there must be another body to monitor the industry.

Amnesty International have targeted jewellers in Hatton Garden, to highlight the issue of conflict diamonds, three years after the Kimberley Process came into effect.
Kerry Barner, one of the organisers from Amnesty, said that some jewellers were very pro-active and produced certificates to show their commitment to the process, in particular the jewellers Davril and Justice. She added however that:  "Some didn't have anything to say. Pronuptia de Paris and John M Reynolds couldn't wait to hurry us out of the shops."

The Kimberley Process was initiated by the United Nations to ensure lucative diamond profits do not fund conflicts in war-torn African countries or support oppressive regimes. 50 governments including the UK and America are signed up to the process.

Barner believes it's important to keep the public aware of this issue.  "The percentage of diamonds in circulation funded by conflict is now one percent. This is a considerable achievement but the Kimberley process is relatively self-regulated and though retailers may be verbally committed to it, it may not be properly enforced. There is evidence that retailers will just buy off anyone who's selling the cheaper diamonds."

At the height of the civil wars in Angola and Sierra-Leone fifteen percent of diamonds in circulation were funding conflicts in these areas. Annie Dunnebacke from Global Witness is cynical about the pride the diamond industry have in lowering the figures.

She said:  "Although the Kimberley Process had a positive effect, the fact is there are now less wars so there are less traders. And the one percent figure is still enough to wreak havoc. It's disingenuous of retailers not to acknowledge this." She added that the internal controls within each participating country of the Kimberley Process, must be strengthened and there must be another body to monitor the industry.