Blood Diamonds or Conflict diamonds

 

Blood Diamond

A Dark History of the Diamond Trade

Diamonds may be a symbol of love, but the industry has a dark history of exploitation and conflict. Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments. These diamonds are often smuggled across borders and sold illegally, making it difficult to trace their origins.

The sale of blood diamonds has fueled brutal wars in Africa, including the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990s. Rebel groups used the profits from diamond mining to fund their operations, and forced labor was used to extract the stones. The trade in blood diamonds has also been linked to human rights abuses, including forced displacement, child labor, and violence against workers.

Efforts have been made to address the issue, including the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which was established in 2003 to regulate the trade in rough diamonds and prevent the sale of blood diamonds. However, the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process has been called into question, as it has been criticized for being too lenient and lacking in transparency.