【Belgium】Trade in ‘Blood Diamonds’: Belgium’s Responsibility Under Scrutiny Again

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Editor’s Note

This article highlights a critical report from Justice and Peace, a Belgian NGO, which reiterates Belgium’s significant role in the global diamond trade and questions the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process in stopping the flow of “blood diamonds.” As a major hub, Belgium’s responsibility in this sector remains under scrutiny.

Pour les syndicats, le pouvoir d’achat n’est pas la priorité mais bien la stabilisation des effectifs et les conditions de travail.
Belgium’s Role as a Hub

Justice and Peace once again pointed out Belgium’s responsibility in the trade of “blood diamonds” on Thursday. Ahead of a new meeting of the Kimberley Process, an international certification mechanism aimed at curbing this trade, the Belgian NGO published a new report denouncing all the limitations of this mechanism, which is supposed to put an end to “conflict diamonds.”

Belgium currently represents a major international hub, with 84% of the world’s total rough diamond production and 50% of all polished diamonds passing through Antwerp, reports Justice and Peace, which estimates that the country is still far from contributing sufficiently to the fight against “war diamonds.” Furthermore, while precious stones are primarily used in jewelry, about 40% are used for industrial purposes and in the automotive industry.

“To address all these major challenges, the diamond trade must be regulated by strong national and international laws and controlled by a robust and effective international body,” notes Agathe Smyth, advocacy officer for Justice and Peace. “However, while the Kimberley Process seemed ambitious at the outset, it is now too weak, unable to face the many existing challenges, nor to guarantee consumers that the diamonds they buy are not tainted by human rights violations.”
Role of Consumers

The NGO is concerned, especially as the international certification mechanism is nearing the end of a review and reform cycle that concludes at the end of the year, under the presidency of India and the Russian vice-presidency.

“Given India’s well-known reluctance to strengthen controls, progress seems unlikely. The next opportunity for reform will not occur for another five years,” she further notes.

In light of the situation, the organization argues that the European Union and Belgium should take a leading role in the Process and in the reforms. It also calls on consumers to challenge companies and political leaders to demand more transparency and guarantees.

Members of the Kimberley Process will meet in Mumbai, India, from June 17 to 21.

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⏰ Published on: June 13, 2019