Ethical issue highlighted by Blood Diamond

THE RELEASE of the film Blood Diamond has drawn attention to the issue of conflict diamonds.

Jewellers’ representatives have bombarded the media in an effort to assure the public that the enforcement of the Kimberley Process controls have virtually eliminated the trade in blood diamonds.

What these spin-doctors fail to mention is the fact that the Kimberley Process only applies to unpolished or rough diamonds and completely ignores the trade in the much more lucrative polished diamonds from conflict zones.

This has proven very convenient for Israel in particular and for jewellers as they now use their compliance with the Kimberley Process as a smokescreen to sell diamonds crafted in Israel, the world’s longest-running and apparently most intractable conflict zone, to unsuspecting consumers.

Israel is the world’s leading exporter of polished diamonds. In 2005 gemstones exports from Israel were valued at over $16 billion, comprising 30% of Israel’s manufacturing exports.

The Irish public could reject diamonds crafted in Israel and could insist on the right to know where each diamond was crafted and the right to choose Israel-free diamonds, such as laser inscribed diamonds from countries that respect human rights.

Don Teegan

Lower Oliver Plunkett Street

Cork