Blood Diamonds in Africa By Cody Caballero Background

Blood Diamonds in Africa By: Cody Caballero

Background § Either called conflict or blood diamonds they have been used to support both rebel groups and even governments. § These diamonds have lead to countless civil wars throughout Africa. § These diamonds are used to provide almost everything for both sides. This includes “food, clothing, transportation, and the most important items weapons”(Peters 2003).

Civil War in Sierra Leone § The civil war between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Sierra Leone government tore threw the country for nine long years. § This war killed over 75, 000 people and half of the countries population had been displaced during the war. § To combat the killing the U. N. Security Council decided to stop supplying Sierra Leone with resources. § The RUF decided to take a new approach and use diamonds to supply their forces. § “Today, the United Nations, non governmental organizations (NGOs), and other governmental actors are calling on the international diamond industry to develop more effective measures to stop the sale of diamonds smuggled out of Sierra Leone and other war zones” (Dickey: Washington college of Law).

Child labor in the diamond minds § This is related to human rights because children are deprived of their right to education. § “Once mining, child miners run the risk of being permanently deprived of their rights to an adequate education and to earn a reasonable livelihood” (Human Rights Quarterly: IHRC V VI). § Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 26 “Everyone has the right to education”

Conditions of the Diamond Mines § Children usually work every day and are susceptible to being killed do to diseases like malaria. § There are cases where “children also may be asked to perform the most dangerous activities such as entering narrow mineshafts or descending into pits where landsides may claim their lives” (Brilliant Earth)

Kimberley Process § “The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments” § As you can see this organizations main goal is to remove the conflict diamonds from society.

What can be done to stop conflict diamonds from surfacing? § In order to stop blood diamonds from surfacing people need to be educated on the situations that are taking place in Africa. § Inform people that diamonds are being used to finance civil wars and citizens of the countries are at risk because of it. § And asking questions to major diamond sellers can help shed more light on the subject of conflict diamonds.

The 4 C’s of Diamonds § Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat (weight) are the four ways to identify a diamond. § The cuts of the diamonds are the most important part of the C’s because the cut determines the quality of the diamond.

Major Diamond Sellers § § § § § Costco Fred Meyer Jewelers Friedman's Jewelers J. C. Penny Co Kay Jew K’s Merchandise Kmart Kohl’s Macy’s Saks Fifth Avenue Samuels Jewelers Sears, Roebuck, & Co Target TJ Maxx Ultra Diamonds Wal Mart Whitehall Jewelers Zale's

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=m 2 u. Xlx. NZCs 4 Blood Diamond

Works Cited § Dickey, Sheryl Sierra Leone: Diamonds for Arms § CALEB KABANDA/ KINSHASA AND FRANKLINKALOMBO/TSHIKAPA Blood Diamonds § J. Anyu Ndumbe, Babalola Cole The Illicit Diamond Trade, Civil Conflicts, and Terrorism in Africa From: Mediterranean Quarterly Volume 16, Number 2, Spring 2005 pp. 52 65 § The International Human Rights Clinic @ Harvard Law School: Digging in the Dirt: Child Miners in Sierra Leone’s Diamond Industry § United Nations General Assembly: The role of diamonds in fueling conflict § http: //www. kimberleyprocess. com/ § http: //www. 4 cs. gia. edu/en us/diamond cut. htm § http: //fd. valenciacollege. edu/file/nroyer/udated%20 blood%20 diamonds. pdf § http: //www. amnestyusa. org/our work/issues/business and human rights/oil gas and mining industries/conflict diamonds