“Clean” Diamonds, Thanks to the Kimberly Process

The Kimberly Process was established 7 years ago to put an end to “blood diamonds.” It was an agreement between manufacturers, industrialists and diamond merchants not to conduct trade with terrorist groups or manufacturers who violate human rights. This year’s Kimberly Process Convention was held in Jerusalem. Although the 76 participating countries failed to reach a unanimous agreement, all agreed that the Kimberly Process was vital and worthy of continued support.

For 4 days the parties participating in the Kimberly Process met in Jerusalem.

The Kimberly Process was established 7 years ago with the aim of putting an end to the production and trade of what was named “blood diamonds.”

According to the United Nations, blood diamonds instigated the murder of millions in the African continent.

Africa is rich with natural resources, yet due to the corruption of various groups -and at times the state leaders themselves - the continent’s countries have remained poor and underdeveloped.

This year’s convention dealt mainly with the export of diamonds from the Marange region in Zimbabwe, where grave violations of human rights were exposed last year.

Human rights organizations represented in the convention were against letting Zimbabwe export diamonds.

The chairman on duty at the convention, Bo’az Hirsch expressed a cautiously optimistic attitude in spite of the fact that an agreement has not yet been finalized.

[Boaz Hirsch, Chairman on Duty, Kimberly Process]:
"An agreement has not been finalized. We hoped to have a consensus today, we believe it will take a few more days...We are still working with Zimbabwe and other countries."

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mining Obert Mpofu said that Zimbabwe will start exporting diamonds from the Marange region and will not agree to any restrictions.

In his words, “Zimbabwe will sell the output from the Marange alluvial field without any conditions.

Reporter:Aviva Grunpeter Photographer:Anat Markram
NTD, Jerusalem, Israel