The kimberley process (KP) is an international certification system for rough diamonds established in 2000 by a group of human rights organizations and industry executives.
Its primary objective is to guarantee that diamond purchases do not fund rebel groups who attack and undermine governments. Unfortunately, it does not address other pressing concerns like child labour and the exploitation of mining workers.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process is an international multi-stakeholder initiative established to increase transparency and oversight in the rough man made diamonds UK industry. Its members include governments, civil society organizations and representatives from within and outside of the diamond sector.
The initiative was established to stop the flow of conflict diamonds, also referred to as blood diamonds that fuel conflict in some parts of the world. Despite its best intentions, progress on the Kimberley Process has been far from seamless.
Despite its many shortcomings, the Kimberley Process has failed to address some of the most critical issues within the diamond industry, such as child labour and environmental degradation. Furthermore, it neglects to address mining exploitation of miners and their families. Without focus on all stages of the diamond supply chain – from mining to sale – it becomes difficult to guarantee that trade is truly “conflict free”.
How does it work?
The Kimberley Process is an international trade initiative designed to prevent diamond trading in conflict zones. It requires countries that import and export diamonds to meet certain standards regarding where and how they mine the gems.
The purpose is to guarantee that any diamonds sourced from conflict zones are legitimate and free from taint by atrocities or bloodshed. Unfortunately, it has been criticised for its lack of transparency and potential loopholes.
NGO and civil society groups have called for reform of the Kimberley Process in order to more adequately address human rights concerns. They also highlighted institutional failures that hinder its capacity to identify and hold member states accountable for noncompliance.
Despite these issues, the Kimberley Process remains an integral component of the diamond industry. It has saved lives, created jobs and provided governments with assistance in areas where conflict diamonds have historically funded armed rebellion.
What are the Kimberley Process requirements?
The Kimberley Process is an international initiative to halt the trade in conflict diamonds (rough diamonds used to fund rebel groups). It’s a collaboration between governments, industry and civil society organizations.
In 2003, the process was established to guarantee that rough diamonds sold within the legitimate global trade aren’t used to finance war or violence. Its members range from small African nations to major global centres like Canada.
Participants in the Kimberley Process must adhere to certain requirements regarding where and how diamonds are mined, as well as regulations to enforce them. Once these requirements have been fulfilled, participants are eligible for Kimberley Process Certification which ensures that all diamonds mined there do not involve conflict minerals.
What are the Kimberley Process sanctions?
The Kimberley Process is a trade regime established in 2003 to prevent the flow of “conflict diamonds.” These rough diamonds are used by rebel groups to fund their wars against legitimate governments.
The KP is a global platform that brings together governments, industry and civil society to reduce conflict diamond trade. Its Core Document defines conflict diamonds as “rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments.”
To join the KP, a country must meet minimal criteria regarding where and how diamonds are mined; furthermore, those mined must not be used to fund militia groups. Once part of the KP, all diamonds mined by that country earn certificates that allow them access to the legitimate diamond market.
Conclusion
Due to these stringent guidelines, the KP has been successful in significantly decreasing the supply of conflict diamonds on the international market. However, it also faces numerous challenges such as enforcement issues and a lack of transparency throughout the process.
