KP Fails to Expand Conflict-Diamond Definition

RAPAPORT... The definition of a conflict diamond will remain unchanged, despite a three-year effort to broaden the mandate of the Kimberley Process (KP). Government representatives were not able to reach the required consensus on the issue at last week's plenary meeting in New Delhi, India. The meeting on November 22 marked the end of the KP's three-year review period, thus presenting a final opportunity for the definition to be updated, reported theWorld Diamond Council (WDC), which represents the industry at the KP. The definition has been the subject of debate for severalyears, with critics arguing that the current language doesn't reflect thepresent situation. The WDC hasbeen working to expand the definition - which is centered on rough diamondsused by rebel movements - to include human-rights abuses, labor rights and allforms of systemic violence.  "While the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme [KPCS]continues to fulfill an important function, the failure of the politicalprocess to achieve consensus was a missed opportunity to enhance theeffectiveness of this foundation stone of integrity in the diamond business,"WDC president Stephane Fischler said Friday. Although KP member states did not reach a unanimous decisionon the expanded definition, which is required for the motion to pass, they didendorse the WDC's updated system of warranties (SoW). The new guidelinesspecifically reference international conventions relating to human and laborrights, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering, Fischler noted. "While we advocated hard to strengthen the scope of the KP,we simultaneously strengthened the SoW, which is a powerful tool that isalready applied by the industry, to ensure consumer confidence both within theKP and independently," Fischler added. At the plenary meeting, the KP also agreed to restructurethe operational framework system created for the Central African Republic(CAR). "We will soon be issuing guidance in this respect for the industry,"Fischler said, explaining that the new process would transfer the burden ofverifying provenance to importers in the trading centers. The country is currently separated by green zones, fromwhich monitored export is allowed, and red zones, from which export isprohibited, according to the KP's guidelines. "We support the objectives of this change in policy, whichis to encourage an increase in legal exports from CAR, as well as improve theefficiency of the system," Fischler continued. Image: WDC president Stephan Fischler speaking at the KP Plenary. (World Diamond Council)