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?