KP Set to Revise Definition of Conflict Diamonds

The Kimberley Process is expected to go ahead with discussions on re-defining conflict diamonds for the first time since it was founded almost 20 years ago.

“We were unable to reach consensus in the previous Review and Reform cycle about how it may be possible to reference violations of human rights in the conflict diamonds definition,” the WDC president Edward Asscher said on Tuesday in his address to the Opening Session of the KP Plenary in Gaborone, Botswana.

“But in the past two years the centrality of human rights has been formally recognized by the KP Plenary.”

The move follows a failed attempt in June by Ukraine, the EU, the US and other KP member countries to discuss broadening the definition.

Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic (CAR) and Kyrgyzstan opposed the move, claiming it was political, and beyond the KP’s remit.

The current 2022 KP Plenary is expected to approve a review into its definition of conflict diamonds as covering only rough diamonds used to finance civil war.

Mr Asscher said the KP didn’t adopt necessary reforms, socially-conscious diamond consumers could some to see natural diamonds as less relevant.

Pic shows WDC president Edward Asscher at the Kimberley Process’ Plenary Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana.

GIA Diamond

Credit: IDEX John Jeffay

Posted by: SGDX Singapore Diamond Exchange