Help End Conflict Diamonds

The Kimberley Process

In December 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established to allow certification of conflict-free diamonds. In order for a country to participate, it must ensure:

• That any diamond originating from the country does not finance rebel groups.
• That every diamond export be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate proving the first clause.
• That no diamond is imported from, or exported to, a non-member of the scheme.

While some countries have been expelled from the scheme for their continued use of conflict diamonds, it is essentially self-enforced, meaning that fulfillment of the above three clauses is not regularly verified.

While the Kimberley Process is an important step to eliminiating the trade of conflict diamonds, mandatory and impartial monitoring is still needed to prevent circulation of conflict diamonds on the world market.

What You Can Do:

• Ask jewelers about their policies on conflict diamonds and for clarification about whether their diamonds are mined and sold legitimately.
• Pray that the diamond industry and governments do more to protect the legitimate diamond trade and bring to a halt the horrific practice of conflict diamonds. 
• Contact your representatives in Congress! Urge them to help end violence in the DR Congo by ensuring that US corporations are not funding abuses by extracting minerals from conflict zones. Rebel violence in the DR Congo is largely funded by the trade in conflict minerals such as coltan, tin, tungsten and gold, which are used to make our cell phones and computer chips. Take action today!