Pete: No 'Conflict' Diamonds In Ashlee's Ring

According to People Magazine, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz presented Ashlee Simpson with a conflict-free engagement ring. He states that the ring not only reveals his love for Ashlee, but his political and social views. "It's something I care about," Wentz added. "I can't actually go [to Africa to pick it out] myself, but I trust [the jeweler]. He's a reputable person" states Wentz. During the NME Awards, Fall Out Boy's bassist staged a silent protest against conflict diamonds with a donned a T-shirt emblazoned with the message "Coltan is a Conflict Diamond," referring to the metallic ore largely found in the African nation of Congo. The gem, which is used in the manufacture of mobile phones, has become a massive commodity that some say is now more valuable than gold. It's mining has led to warring rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo exploiting coltan to help finance war - an issue raised in Leonardo DiCaprio's 2006 hit film Blood Diamond. Wentz told reporters, "People have got to be careful what they buy."

New Standards for Sierra Leone

The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) announced the release of its Standards & Guidelines for Sierra Leone’s Artisanal Diamond Mining Sector on May 27th, 2008. The release, in partnership with Sierra Leone’s Network Movement for Justice and Development, is the first comprehensive guide to a sector that was until recently plagued by armed rebellion and horrific violence. Sierra Leone’s civil conflict serves as a troubled milestone in the history of conflict diamonds. Today, Sierra Leone is at peace, but the DDI finds that the diamond industry remains troubled. Despite the wealth they generate, artisanal diamond mining districts in Sierra Leone – as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Brazil and elsewhere — are less developed, have greater health problems, more illiteracy and greater poverty than other areas. The Standards and Guidelines Project, carried out in conjunction with Partnership Africa Canada, with support from the Communities & Small Scale Mining Secretariat and several major diamond mining and retailing companies, has produced practical, relevant information, standards and guidelines for a wide cross-section of government departments, investors and development organizations. However, DDI's main objective is drawing development organizations and sound investment into artisanal diamond mining areas, to find ways to make development programming more effective, and to help bring the informal diamond mining sector into the formal economy.

As the Diamonds Spread

As India stands as the fastest growing international diamond industry, it is expected to be chosen by the United Nations to take responsibility of the Kimberley Process. However, these diamonds are passed through the polluted port of Surat, India. Their industry contradicts their selection to take over the Kimberley Process, due to their foul sweatshops and factories. Their fastest growing industry employs over one million people and turns over about $8 billion a year. However, an investigation held by The Observer discovered a dreadful effect: evidence of sale of conflict diamonds from the black market of Liberia (markets banned by the UN).
India's under developed economy has prevented their markets to seperate conflict from legitimate diamonds. Diamond sellers from bazaars faces a downfall in their business as certain processes have prohibited conflict diamonds from being sold. Some sellers claim that they cannot distinguish the origin of the diamonds and "business [here] is done with cash and no questions." India and its undeveloped state is depicted through their cracked pavements, tired workers and hundreds of black-market dealers. They smuggle conflict diamonds into the country in order to make a living, yet unable to realize the consequences which derive from such actions. Human suffering in Africa isn't the only problem which comes from blood diamonds, but these problems spread to other nations such as India. Blood diamonds are not usually a threat to the Indian government, but encourages the foul conditions of human (child as well) labor.

De Beers' Conflicting Image

DeBeers, once a monopoly of diamond mining and manufacturing for a hundred years. It is a cartel of companies which participates in rough diamond explorations, mining and trade. The company was founded by Cecil Rhodes and the multiple companies within De Beers are responsible for about 40% of diamond production in the world. They have created an increase in the desire for diamonds with their famous slogan: "A diamond is forever." However, advocates play against this advertising line due to De Beers' success from conflict diamonds. Their diamond market derive from South Africa by British owners and own about 70% of diamond mines in Africa. The discovery of the Kimberley diamond fields in the late 1800s became a major source of De Beers' profit and rise to the company. The sudden renaissance of Kimberley has been attributed to new diamond discoveries in what De Beers regarded for years as worthless land – at least for mining. And that has fed rumors in the close-knit international diamond community that Kimberley has become a major laundering center for Africa's "conflict diamonds". Human rights groups accused it of purchasing illicit diamonds from African rebels as well. De Beers was placed in a troubled situation where their clean luxurious image have been tainted. De Beers seeks to improve their image by promoting new policies concerning conflict diamonds. Their policy applied to all of Africa: they would only purchase and trade legitimate diamonds which were not used to fund rebel groups. They also developed a zero-tolerance policy later in 1999 and stopped all outside trade and purchase of diamonds in order to guarantee their conflict free status of the company.



A fellow blogger comments on De Beers position on conflict diamonds:



"Let's not forget that the De Beers company has had a monopoly on diamond mining and manufacturing for a hundred years. I know... you already know these things. So why am I bothering to beat this dead horse? I am a media scholar, and it is the media aspect about diamonds that makes me so sick. If diamonds weren't overpriced status symbols, weren't harvested from mines by slaves under the stress of immeasurable brutality and suffering, if the polishing wasn't done by child labor, and if their manufacturing wasn't almost completely operated by a single corporation, I'd still have the following reason not to buy one."


De Beers Commercial

Diamonds: The Real Story--National Geographic

Many of the public are unaware of the consequences of diamonds and the tragic reality behind Africa's diamond trade. The media explores these truths and tries to expose the facts to the public, allowing them to think twice before purchasing a diamond.

Diamonds: The Real Story (National Geographic) -- "Funneled through secretive networks, these precious gems can carry a huge cost in human suffering. "

This article explains the true value which people perceive in diamonds. They often view it as a form of currency; a source of money which maybe used anywhere in the world. Mark van Bockstael of the Diamond High Council in Antwerp remarks “They back international loans, pay debts, pay bribes, buy arms. In many cases they are better than money.” No wonder the revolutionary army are so fond of these precious stones. Diamonds have become a financial benefit for the army, but also sacrifices human rights, health, and lives.

As diamonds enter the market, the significance increases with new profound values. De Beers have longed associated diamonds with love and emotion, and used these connotations of diamonds to market their product. Their long used slogan: "A diamond is forever" have associated with the ideas of love and devotion and increasing cultures expect diamond rings for engagement and marriage. These are the images imposed onto the public by diamond industries. Their powerful meaning of adoration and devotion are reflected through the attractive glimmer and shimmer. However, under the thin beautiful glittering layer lays the tragic consequences when mining such stones.

Hip-Hop Takes on Conflict Diamonds

Even though the film, Blood Diamond, increased the awareness of the human tragedy to the public, other media related factors spoke out against this operation. Rapper, Kanye West, recorded a song "Diamonds are forever" in his album Late Registration to expose the devasting truth behind the marketed slogan: Diamonds are a girl's best friend. West employed hip-hop music to express the concerns over immoral justice of the abuse imposed on humans in Africa.

His lyrics challenged corporate boardrooms, producers, and consumers to take note of the bloodshed and death occuring in Sierra Leone due to the unfully resolved tragedy of conflict diamonds. He addresses the unjust consequences experienced int he lives of Africans, where their suffering and death benefitted the diamond markets and businesses insuring "high and stable global prices for diamonds" as well as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Lyrics to "Diamonds are Forever"

Blood Diamond (Film)

The conflict in Africa created a major impact in the nation and people, as well as influenced other nations to aid their suffering and support in ending this ordeal. Blood Diamond is a 2006 Amerian movie which depicted the conflict in Africa through a action-drama film. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer, Jennifer Connelly as Maddy Bowen, and Djimon Honsou as Solomon Vandy. It was nominated for five academy awards, including best actor (DiCaprio) and best Supporting Actor (Honsou). Setting was in Sierra Leone during the 1990s when the civil war was occuring.

The film emphasized the suffering of slave laborers forced to work in mines through the character of Solomon, a Mende fisherman. He was one of the unfortunate ones who was taken from his family and forced to work at the mines. Danny and Solomon join together in a quest to recover a rare diamond, but were imprisoned by the Revolutionary United Front. During their imprisonment, Danny discovers that Solomon had found and hidden the diamond. They meet an American journalist, Maddy Bowen, who helps Solomon track down his family. However, deception surfaces from the relationship of the two men as Solomon discovers that Danny is using him to obtain the rare gem. He agrees to trade the diamond for information about the diamond market to stop the flow of blood diamonds from Africa and end the revolution. Both men embark on an adventure through the rebel territory to save Solomon's family and to give Danny ends up saving him and his son.

Critic Richard Roeper gave the film four thumbs up, and it was nominated for an Oscar of Best Picture. It was nominated for eight types of awards in total and won two Best Supporting Actor (Djimon Housou) and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Djimon Housou).

Related Links: Blood Diamond (film) or Warner Bros. Picture: Blood Diamond

U.S. and Canadian Policy

As of January 18, 2001, the President Bill Clinton issued an Executive Order 13194 to prohibit Sierra Leone from importing rough diamonds into the United States. On May 22, 2001, President Bush issued another executive order 13213 to ban import of diamonds from Liberia into the United States. Liberia was recognized as a pipeline for conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone by the UN. On April 25, 2003, The United States passed the Clean Diamond Trade Act (CDTA) which prevented fundings for Africa's civil wars by stopping diamond trade.

Canada is one of the major players in the diamond industry and has been involved in many activities to aid suffering in Africa. They played as a major supporter of the Kimberly Process and issued several laws to reduce the trade of diamonds. The Canadian Certificate was also issued and required for all shipment of diamonds through Canada. It gave permission to seize any diamonds that did not meet the requirements of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act.

The Painful Price of Diamonds

The effects of blood diamonds create a long lasting effect on Africa. However, wars and illegal trade are not the only problems; human health and rights are abused as well. The price for diamonds are much higher than believed, such as the price paid in Africa leaves an everlasting impact in the community.

As rebel groups take control of diamond areas, families are displaced from their homes. However, those who are left behind are forced to become laborers in diamond mines and are subjected to physical abuse, injuries, and sicknesses. Such issues range from diseases to amputation of arms, ears, limbs--which may either be accidents, or intentional by the rebels. Women become sexually abused, and children are obligated to work under inhumane conditions. In fact, children are not exceptions to these conditions, but are actually forced to work in mines like the adults. In many instances, they die from mining accidents, or are simply killed off by the rebels. Although thousands of people have been killed from this project, a large amount of the casualties are children.

Due to this horrific conflict, US government, and World Vision (sponsorship Christian organization) have presented some solutions to address the issue. They wish to implement a temporary emergency relief plan through agricultural and food aids. Efforts to expose the fatal truth of the mining conditions in Africa are imposed in the slogan: "Dying for a diamond? Unfortunately, thousands of children are too." World Vision is currently aiming to help children and communities who are dealing with poverty, and are exposed to the critical sufferings from mining diamonds.



Related Links: Stop Blood Diamonds

The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme

The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a process certified to verify the origin of rough diamonds, as well as protecting them from forgery. This process was established in 2003, to prevent blood diamonds from entering the diamond market. It also prevented the illicit use of diamonds by rebels and terrorists from financing their revolution. The process was meant to assure consumers that the diamonds they purchased were legitimate.

KPCS Weakness

Monitoring the KPCS was its biggest weakness. Almost any nation may become a member of the process, simply by sending a letter to the president of the organization. They disregard the countries' standards and continue to allow them to join the process. Therefore, the means and policy of the process are not fully protected because there are still conflict diamonds which past the KPCS. As in 2007, the shared total trade of rough diamonds were estimated to about 10.2 million dollars only.

KPCS Success

Amidst of its weakness, there are successes which resulted from the Kimberly Process. The organization was able to bring most of the world's trade in rough diamonds under control. According to statistics, the estimated illicit trade outside the KPCS was significantly low.

Related Links: The Kimberly Process

Conflict Diamonds vs. Legitimate Diamonds

The proper term for "blood diamonds" is "conflict diamonds". Conflict diamonds are diamonds that derive from faction or force regulated areas and used to fund military actions, whereas legitimate/conflict free diamonds can be purchasable from ethical and reputable jewelers. However, after legitimate diamonds are cut and polished, they cannot be distinguished from conflict diamonds.

Blood Diamonds: stones sold by rebel and terrorist groups to fund military activities. Mining of these diamonds strongly impose abuse on human rights and health, as well as funding violence and environmental depletion. They also exploit child and slave labor, as well as stopping the process of building a reputable trade, preventing economic growth. These stones are usually sold as high quality products on an unusually low price.

Legitimate Diamonds: stones that can be legally purchased from retail jewelers. Legitimate diamond industries are committed and legally bound to eradicating conflict diamonds. This includes contries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Global Witness, Partnership Africa Canada, the World Diamond Council, De Beers and the UN, which established the Kimberly Process. The Kimberly Process is an intergovernmental process where rough diamonds highly protected from forgery.

Related Links: Legitimate or Conflict?

The Beginning

Diamonds--the most valuable gems found in Africa. However, the advertised images of diamonds as beauty and love are contradicted through the corruption occuring in Africa. During the 1990’s, Sierra Leone and Angola rebels used an illicit act of mining diamonds to fund their revolution. This was called Blood Diamonds, referring to diamonds found in mines of war zones. The diamonds financially benefited Sierra Leone in obtaining weapons to assist their struggle against their government, as well as funding for many other illegal activities. In 1998, Angola was placed under sanctions by the United Nations (UN), restricting countries from purchasing diamonds from them. As for Sierra Leone, there was a negotiation with the Revolutionary Front which led to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement of 1999 to relieve hostility.

Related Links: Conflict Diamonds