How does the United Nations define conflict diamonds?
Blood diamond, also called conflict diamond, as defined by the United Nations (UN), any diamond that is mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to the legitimate, internationally recognized government of a country and that is sold to fund military action against that government.
Who suffers from conflict diamonds?
In just the past two decades, seven African countries have endured brutal civil conflicts fueled by diamonds: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Diamonds intensify civil wars by financing militaries and rebel militias.
Where do conflict diamonds come from?
Conflict diamonds, or blood diamonds, are rough diamonds mined in conflict zones that are used by armed groups to finance conflict and commit grave human rights abuses. Conflict diamonds have originated from Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Why do people buy conflict diamonds?
Blood Diamonds, also known as “Conflict Diamonds,” are stones that are produced in areas controlled by rebel forces that are opposed to internationally recognized governments. The rebels sell these diamonds, and the money is used to purchase arms or to fund their military actions.
What are the conflict diamonds used for?
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.
Are diamonds from Israel conflict-free?
Israel Diamond Supply has binding contracts with our suppliers which guarantee that the diamonds they offer to us for sale are conflict-free.
How bad is the diamond industry?
Environment. Due to poor planning and weak regulation, diamond mining has caused environmental devastation, severely damaging the land and water. This irresponsible mining has caused soil erosion and deforestation, and has forced local communities to relocate.
Is it illegal to buy uncut diamonds?
The Act prohibits the “importation into, or exportation from, the United States on or after July 30, 2003, of any rough diamond, from whatever source, unless the rough diamond has been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)”.
What does the United Nations mean by conflict diamonds?
The United Nations defines conflict diamonds as “…diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.”
What kind of diamonds are used in conflict?
What are conflict diamonds? Conflict or “blood” diamonds are illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa, according to the World Diamond council, which represents the commercial diamond trade.
Why are there conflict diamonds in West Africa?
In such conflicted regions of the world, diamonds lose their connotation of beauty and elegance and are in stead stained with blood. In this paper, I discuss the many ways in which “conflict diamond” has brought nothing but poverty, suffering and war to the West African people.
Why are there so many blood diamonds in Africa?
diamond wealth. Rival groups also fight with each other to control diamond-rich territory. The tragic result is bloodshed, loss of life, and shocking human rights abuses – from rape to the use of child soldiers. Diamonds that fuel civil wars are often called “blood” or “conflict” diamonds.