Today, another three-year reform cycle of the Kimberley Process came to an end without meaningful change. Participating states could only find consensus on insignificant changes to the scope and governance of the scheme.
They once again failed to effectively protect communities in diamond mining areas from ongoing abuses. As a result, KP certificates still provide no guarantees that diamond purchases are not tainted with blood.
“Our overall conclusion from this Kimberley Process Plenary meeting is one of deep disappointment”, concludes Shamiso Mtisi. “While the Kimberley Process may on paper be a tripartite process, in reality it is a government-dominated body that fails to transcend national interests. As civil society we will continue to hold the spotlight on this often murky process, with its tendency to pretend being something broader and more effective than it actually is. But as the KP continues to lose relevance and credibility, it is ever more clear that we will have to look outside of this rigid process to find the real solutions for improving diamond governance and defending the interests of diamond mining communities”.
Read more in their press release and the closing speech.
More information:
Shamiso Mtisi, KP Civil Society Coalition Coordinator (ZELA), +263 7 742 169 56
Hans Merket, IPIS, +32 3 225 00 22
Friday, 22 November, 2019 - 17:00