In this article, we want to know what are blood diamonds. If you’ve heard of blood diamonds, you may be asking, “Who’s buying them?” These illegal diamonds are killing people and disrupting societies in the developing world. Each year, they cause the deaths of thousands of Africans. And as long as there’s a willing buyer outside of Africa, the supply will continue to flow. If you’d like to help stop this problem, you must stop buying blood diamonds.
Angola
The sale of conflict diamonds fuels the UNITA’s war machine. UNITA has been known to use the money from rough diamond sales to buy arms and ammunition, and use it as a pretext for conquering the MPLA. The United Nations has long sought to stop UNITA’s use of conflict diamonds and the United Nations Security Council has put much effort into this cause.
Sierra Leone
In the late 1990s, the RUF group in Sierra Leone fought a civil war against the government. The RUF was known to exploit the country’s diamond resources, earning 125 million dollars annually. At the same time, they committed crimes such as rape, mass killings, and mutilations. As a result, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on the country’s diamond exports in 2000.
Liberia
Since 1991, the illegal trade of blood diamonds has claimed the lives of around 70,000 Liberians. The illegal trade of conflict diamonds is usually carried out by clandestine means to fund war efforts in various countries, including Liberia.
Congo
The DR Congo is home to tens of thousands of alluvial diamond mines. Just 18 miles from Mwanza mine, there is a mine called Kangambala. The workers there have been shoveling dirt and rock for four months. They work only for the hope of finding a diamond. The three men who work in the mine sluice pans of gravel through sieves, hoping to find the rare and valuable gem.
Ivory Coast
In a country once characterized by stability, the Ivory Coast has experienced civil wars and other armed conflicts. In 2002, a rebellion split the country in two, with the government holding the south while rebels held the north. The conflict has led to widespread robbery and extortion, and civilian intimidation. Some of the conflict is linked to the illicit flow of diamonds.
Zimbabwe
A report produced by Global Witness has documented the trade in blood diamonds in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF regime has been accused of systematically killing people to obtain the precious stones. The ZANU-PF has failed to regulate the diamond industry and is reportedly exploiting the lack of clear legal ownership of the gemstones.
Antwerp
In the 17th century, Amsterdam was one of the leading cities in Europe for diamonds, and the Dutch religious tolerance permitted Sephardic Jews to settle in the city and learn the trade. Similarly, Antwerp’s diamond trade was dominated by Jewish merchants, but a new generation of Arab, Indian, and Lebanese diamond dealers have increased their influence in the city.
Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process aims to ensure the traceability of diamonds, but this isn’t an easy task. In many instances, diamonds are smuggled out of conflict zones and sold at the world diamond exchange in Antwerp as conflict-free. This is a major concern, particularly for consumers who wish to buy diamond jewellery from reputable jewelers. Although there are some ways to trace diamonds from conflict zones, it is almost impossible to do so with antique diamonds. They don’t look much different from new diamonds and it is difficult to find out who mined them. Nevertheless, modern shoppers are reluctant to invest in a diamond without knowing more about its origins. They are eager to avoid diamonds from conflict zones.
Blockchain technology
Recently, De Beers, a global diamond producer, announced it was using blockchain technology to track its diamonds digitally. The goal is to make the supply chain more efficient and boost consumer trust. The new system will make it more difficult for conflict diamonds to enter retail stores.
Impact of human-rights abuses on diamond trade
The diamond trade is linked to the financing of armed groups in conflict zones, and the sale of rough diamonds has contributed to many abuses. Diamond mining in Sierra Leone, for example, has led to the deaths and displacement of millions of people. Thousands more have fled to the United States and other countries.
