The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC) has issued a statement timed to the beginning of the KP Intersessional meeting in Dubai this week arguing the organization needs to change its ‘attitude’ and ‘mindset’ to address the current problems at the core of its mandate.
“Civil society expresses deep concern over the KP’s failure to seriously assess its role in exacerbating or alleviating ongoing conflicts, in particular, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the enduring conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR),” the KPCSC said in a statement.
According to the members of the civil society group, the KP’s failure to provide a forum for discussion and cooperation on this trade issue has significantly contributed to the turmoil and uncertainty currently pervading the supply chain.
“The KP requires significant overhaul to credibly uphold its mandate of fostering conflict prevention and sustainable development. Let’s acknowledge the looming risk that without substantial reform, the KP undermines rather than bolsters consumer confidence in diamonds,” it said.
Finally, the KPCSC called upon the members of the KP to embrace a much more comprehensive approach to not just ban diamonds funding rebel groups, but rather harness diamond mining to drive development and enhance the economic, social, and physical well-being of communities.
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
