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Canadian Conflict-Free Diamonds
What is a Conflict Diamond?
The Basics
Conflict (or Blood) diamonds are diamonds that
originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate
and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military
action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the
decisions of the Security Council.
The Issues Surrounding Conflict Diamonds
On 1 December 2000, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted, unanimously, a resolution on the role of diamonds in
fuelling conflict, breaking the link between the illicit transaction of
rough diamonds and armed conflict, as a contribution to prevention and
settlement of conflicts (A/RES/55/56). In taking up this agenda item,
the General Assembly recognized that conflict diamonds are a crucial factor
in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa, and underscored that legitimate
diamonds contribute to prosperity and development elsewhere on the continent.
In Angola and Sierra Leone, conflict diamonds continue to fund the rebel
groups, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)
and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), both of which are acting in
contravention of the international community's objectives of restoring
peace in the two countries.
How to avoid buying Conflict Diamonds
A well-structured 'Certificate of Origin' regime
can be an effective way of ensuring that only legitimate diamonds -- that
is, those from government-controlled areas -- reach market. Additional
controls by Member States and the diamond industry are needed to ensure
that such a regime is effective. These measures might include the standardization
of the certificate among diamond exporting countries, transparency, auditing
and monitoring of the regime and new legislation against those who fail
to comply.
Other Reading
Wikipedia entry
for Blood Diamonds
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