BLOOD DIAMONDS

By
Vinay Krishna Medishetty

OVER VIEW
Blood diamonds are also known as conflict diamonds Usually produced in areas
controlled by rebel forces that are opposed to governments.
The rebels use violence to force men, women and children into slave labor to mine the
diamonds.
The diamonds are used to purchase arms and fund their military actions.
Through out the entire operation violence, threats, torture and slavery are practiced
hence the name BLOOD DIAMONDS.
The flow of conflict diamonds originated mainly from West Africa in places like Sierra
Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Ivory Coast.

HISTORY
First Diamond was found by a young boy named
Stephanus in South Africa, gave it to his neighbor named
Niekerk, he gives it to traveling salesman
and later displayed at World Fair in Paris in 1867, &
declared to be a diamond and named Eureka.
More diamonds were found during the time & this was the
start of the history of bloodshed in Africa.
Mining became a big time activity
Realizing worth & preciousness of diamonds, local people
began competing each other , and started War among
themselves.

..contd
Major profits are used by rebels &
Warlords
Forced labor, Child labor, Killing,
Beatings, Smuggling, and Corruption
Burning of houses and live stock have
arisen with a high rate
There is no law enforcement to restrict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=kRzb0AxO3CY

Blood diamonds costed more than 50,000 people dead !

Half Million of Refugee's and thousands of amputees.
Major source of hard currency was Diamond Mining
In 1991 - A rebel group entered the country & took control of its
mining cities.
Rebels attempted to overthrow the government, & an illegal
diamond trade was conducted openly.

Kimberley Process of Certification Scheme

Established in 2003 to prevent conflict Blood
Diamonds from entering the mainstream market.
The KPCS was introduced by United Nations
General Assembly.
The process was set up "to ensure that diamond
purchases were not financing violence by rebel
movements and their allies seeking to undermine
legitimate governments.

DE BEERS
Founded in 1888, active in every kind of diamond
mining across the world.
It sells about 35% of the worlds rough diamond
production.
It initially followed the Kimberly process to convey
that they no longer trade blood diamonds.
Put pressure on Botswana government to evacuate
people to leave the central Kalahari Reserve.
Other people and organizations have also been
claimed to involve in Blood diamond trade.