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Thursday, January 7th, 2010If the plot of the box office hit Avatar seems familiar, that’s because it is. Film critics have drawn a host of comparisons between Avatar and other movies. Like Dances with Wolves, Avatar is the story of an American soldier who, after learning the ways of a native culture, decides to defend that culture rather [...]
In Wake of Kimberley Process Decision, Zimbabwe Military Leaders Poised to Reap Millions
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009When the Kimberley Process (KP) in early November chose not to suspend Zimbabwe for human rights abuses in the country’s diamond fields, the KP defended its decision on the grounds that the Zimbabwean government could be coaxed into cleaning up its act. Regrettably, the picture that is emerging is one of continued exploitation of the [...]
60 Minutes Report: Gold Mining Fuels Deadly Conflict in Congo
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009Media attention to the problem of “conflict diamonds” has raised public awareness about the negative social and environmental consequences associated with diamond mining. Less media attention has been given to gold mining and how, as with diamonds, the lust for mineral wealth can lead to some of the same disturbing consequences. Brilliant Earth therefore [...]
World Diamond Council Supports Kimberley Process in Controversial Decision
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009The Kimberley Process (KP) recently announced that, despite numerous reports of serious human rights violations by the Zimbabwean military in the country’s mining fields, Zimbabwe would not lose its KP membership. The KP’s alarming decision is now receiving support from the World Diamond Council (WDC), a global organization of diamond manufacturing and diamond trading companies [...]
UN Security Council Extends Ban on Diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Measures by the United Nations to prevent the export of diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire will continue into the foreseeable future. Last week the United Nations Security Council voted to extend sanctions on the West African nation for another year. Those sanctions ban other states from importing diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire while also imposing an arms [...]
Kimberly Process Chooses Not to Suspend Zimbabwe
Monday, November 9th, 2009Once again demonstrating its inadequacy at ensuring the ethical mining of diamonds, the Kimberley Process (KP) has opted to let Zimbabwe off the hook for grave human rights abuses taking place in the country’s mining fields. Those abuses are not the work of a private mining company but are being instigated by Zimbabwe’s own government. [...]
Kimberley Process Reviews Angola
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009Over the past four years, Angola has avoided being scrutinized in the conflict diamond trade, but recent allegations of human rights abuses have plunged this war-torn nation back into the international spotlight.
Last month, investigators for the Kimberley Process conducted a long overdue mission to Angola, the first since 2005. The team visited northern Angola, where [...]
Death of Ethically Aimed Geologist, Campbell Bridges
Thursday, August 27th, 2009On Tuesday August 11, Campbell Bridges, a Scottish geologist best known for discovering the green Tvasorite gem unique to Southern Kenya, was attacked outside of the town of Voi. A mob of approximately twenty men approached the mine owner, his son, and four of his staff members on his 600-acre property, attacking them with home [...]
Zimbabwe Suspension Pending Approval
Thursday, August 6th, 2009Amid strong evidence of the Zimbabwe government and military’s direct involvement in brutal attacks on diamond miners in the country’s Marange district, a Kimberley Process delegation has at long last recommended that Zimbabwe be suspended from the scheme. For months, international human rights groups have called for Zimbabwe’s expulsion from the Kimberley Process, which is [...]
Kimberley Process Team Investigates Zimbabwe
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009In response to ongoing reports of government corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields, a Kimberley Process review team has recently visited the country to assess its diamond industry first-hand. After a week-long investigation, the review team has confirmed beliefs that Zimbabwe’s military and police were complicit in widespread violence and human rights [...]
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