WHAT IS KIMBERLEY PROCESS ?

The Kimberley Process is a certification scheme that was introduced in 2003 to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds. The scheme is named after the city of Kimberley, South Africa, where the first international meeting on the issue was held. The Kimberley Process has been successful in reducing the trade of conflict diamonds by ensuring that only diamonds that have been mined and traded through legitimate channels are certified and traded internationally.

The trade of conflict diamonds has been a major issue in many African countries, where diamonds have been used to finance brutal wars and human rights abuses. The trade of conflict diamonds has been linked to the funding of rebel groups and the overthrow of legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process was introduced to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds and to ensure that diamonds are mined and traded ethically and responsibly.

The Kimberley Process requires all participating countries to implement a system of export and import controls for rough diamonds. Participating countries are required to certify that their rough diamonds are conflict-free and to ensure that the diamonds are not used to finance armed conflict. The Kimberley Process also requires that all rough diamonds are transported in tamper-proof containers and are accompanied by a certificate that verifies their origin and status as conflict-free.

The Kimberley Process has been successful in reducing the trade of conflict diamonds, with the United Nations estimating that the trade of conflict diamonds has been reduced by over 99% since the introduction of the scheme. The Kimberley Process has also helped to improve the living standards of diamond mining communities by promoting responsible diamond mining practices and ensuring that diamonds are traded fairly.

However, the Kimberley Process has been criticized for its limited scope and lack of transparency. The scheme only covers rough diamonds and does not cover the trade of cut and polished diamonds. The scheme has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, with some diamond trading countries accused of bypassing the certification process and continuing to trade in conflict diamonds.

In conclusion, the Kimberley Process is an important initiative that has helped to reduce the trade of conflict diamonds and promote responsible diamond mining practices. However, the scheme needs to be expanded and made more transparent to ensure that it continues to be effective in preventing the trade of conflict diamonds and promoting ethical and responsible diamond mining practices.