Widely documented, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the link between conflicts and natural resources no longer needs to be demonstrated. Diamond, in particular, is a rare mineral with one of the highest value-to-weight ratios in the world, meaning it concentrates the most value in the least weight. It is therefore not surprising that it is the most coveted precious stone among jewelry lovers, but also… armed groups who find it an easy source of financing.
Description
While the diamond trade could offer development opportunities
consequent, it generally benefits little the producing countries and
their population. On the contrary, diamonds are used far too often to finance and thus
prolong armed conflicts, launder money and participate in various illicit transactions.
Once a symbol of purity and commitment, the diamond saw its reputation tarnished from the end of the 90s, being increasingly associated in the collective consciousness with the blood it sheds.
Created in 2003, the Kimberley Process is an international certification mechanism which offered an innovative solution to stem the trade of these
“blood diamonds”. Sixteen years later, this process seems to have reached
its limits, not being able to sufficiently ensure that diamonds do not
are not tainted by violence and human rights violations.
But how are blood diamonds still found on our markets?
Why is the Kimberley Process failing to effectively address
to the challenges linked to the diamond trade? What is the role of the European Union and
from Belgium ? What are the solutions for fairer and more sustainable trade?
Finally, what can we do on our scale? It's all these questions
that this study proposes to answer.
