Industry Responds to Music Video Depicting Conflict Diamond Mining
June 19, 05
Despite efforts by the diamond industry, Conflict Diamonds continue to be an ongoing social issue, and a recent music video by hip hop artist Kanye West that opens with a scene of a Sierra Leone diamond mine has irked the industry that is trying to stomp out the trade in such diamonds and eradicate the social harm it's inflicting on the legitimate trade.
The recent video of the song "Diamonds (from Sierra Leone)" shows a group of children working in an underground mine under the watchful eye of an armed guard, while the lyrics say they are working from sunrise to sunset for the rebels.
This caused a double reaction. On one hand it criticized hip hop artists for their love for expensive diamonds and music magazines have voiced it out loud. On the other hand it criticized the diamond industry over conflict diamonds, causing reactions in the diamond industry, too.
With the Kimberley Process in place for several years, and a growing focus on eliminating illegal trade by increased oversight by new laws such as the new anti money laundering laws introduced in Europe and the U.S., naturally the diamond industry didn't look kindly on West's video.
The diamond Information Center (DIC) said in response: "The issue of conflict diamonds is one that the industry has always taken very seriously. All members of the trade stand united against conflict diamonds and all parties are vigilant and determined to stop any wrongdoing."
The DIC, probably voicing the most prevalent thoughts in the industry, went on to say: "While we have not viewed Mr. West's new video, the lyrics of the song certainly do not reflect the tremendous work the diamond industry has done in conjunction with the UN sanctioned Kimberley Process introduced in 2000."
"In response to the Kimberley Process governmental scheme, the diamond industry introduced a 'certificate of origin' allowing only legitimate diamonds to be traded on the global market, therefore creating a zero tolerance environment for conflict diamonds around the world.
"The volume of conflict diamonds in circulation is believed to have dropped below 1% if any at all and it is virtually impossible for unscrupulous dealers to sell non-certified rough diamonds.
The diamond industry is one of the cornerstones of economic and social development of many Sub-Saharan African nations. Without it, the fantastic growth and prosperity impacting millions will be jeopardized, further delaying Africa's long struggle to catch up with the rest of the developing nations around the world."