Conflict Diamonds: Jewelers keeping consumers in the dark
A recent survey conducted by Amnesty's Corporate Action Network indicates that jewelers are still keeping consumers in the dark when it comes to their policies to keep conflict diamonds out of stores. Join Amy O'Meara of Amnesty International USA's Business & Human Rights Program to discuss the implications of this new survey and Amnesty's continuing work on diamonds, business and human rights.
Featured Guest: Amy O'MearaFrom our featured guest: "I look forward to answering your questions."
Question Submitted by Kelli:
As someone who is about to get married, do you have any advice on how to be an informed consumer when it comes to purchasing a diamond for an engagement ring?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Kelli, and welcome everyone to today’s chat. There are lots of questions already waiting so I will do my best to get to them all!
First of all, Kelli, congratulations on your engagement!
This is a great question to start the day. While Amnesty cannot endorse one company over another, we do encourage consumers to be scrupulous in their purchasing decisions, and to ask questions of companies regarding their impact on human rights and the policies and practices they have in place to prevent human rights abuses - not just the diamond industry, but across industries.
Concerning diamonds, it is important to know that all sectors of the diamond industry have committed to a voluntary system of self-regulation to support the Kimberley Process and help stem the flow of blood diamonds. The self-regulation requires all sectors of the diamond industry to implement a code of conduct to prevent buying and selling of conflict diamonds. It also provides “…for a system of warranties underpinned through verification by independent auditors of individual companies and supported by internal penalties set by industry, which will help to facilitate the full traceability of rough diamond transactions by government authorities.” Thus there are several specific questions you should ask before buying a diamond:
· Does the company have a policy in place to prevent selling conflict diamonds? If so, what is the policy and is it in writing?
· Has the company informed its suppliers in writing that the company will require a warranty (not a warranty for quality, but a warranty showing that the diamond is conflict free!)? If so, request to see a sample of a letter written to a supplier and a sample of a warranty provided by a supplier on an invoice.
· Is the company keeping records of the warranties and having these records verified as part of its financial auditing process?
Amnesty and Global Witness asked these questions of several top jewelers as part of our management level survey and the results were not encouraging. A table detailing all of the results is included in a background report available on our website at: http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/dv_background.pdf.
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Question Submitted by AFERDITA:
Hello, I would like some information on conflict diamonds. Are they diamonds attained through hard and dangerous labor? If so, how can we be sure that the diamonds we are purchasing are not part of these "conflict" diamonds? It seems to me that companies who are not responding to your queries are most likely hiding something that they do not want exposed. Their silence "sounds" guilty.
Amy O'Meara answers:
It's a good idea to start today with a definition of conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and that are used to fund conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses. They have been responsible for funding bloody conflicts in Africa, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. Diamonds have also been used by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda to finance their activities and for money-laundering purposes. Admittedly, right now it is hard to be 100% sure that the diamond you are purchasing is not a conflict diamond. In January 2003 an international certification scheme known as the Kimberley Process was instituted to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds. Since the Kimberley Process only applies to rough diamonds, the system of self-regulation described above was introduced to cover all other sectors of the industry. Though some progress has been made, information gathered by Global Witness and Amnesty International suggests that there is still a long way to go. Though there are many reasons why a company might not respond to our survey, it nonetheless suggests a lack of transparency about the problem and how they are handling it (if they are handling it).
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Question Submitted by Ken:
Has the discovery and mining of diamonds in Canada's north helped slow the spread of conflict diamonds?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Ken, thank you for your question. It is interesting to note that in our survey, several retailers mentioned the availability of Canadian diamonds as their answer to the conflict diamond problem. The discovery and mining of Canadian diamonds does not impact the spread of conflict diamonds since diamond mining in Africa will continue regardless of new mines in other parts of the world. Though buying a Canadian diamond means that your individual purchase has not contributed to conflict, it cannot be considered as a proactive step to end the problem. As you may know, Amnesty does not generally support boycotts. The reason is because boycotts seldom work, and it is possible that they could cause new human rights problems, even as they are solving others - especially among vulnerable populations that are dependent on an industry for economic development. The legitimate diamond trade in Africa could play a role in the economic development of emerging economies and this must be kept in mind as we strategize about how to change the industry. Thus, buying Canadian diamonds and in effect boycotting African diamonds is not a strategy we support. This likewise applies to synthetic diamonds.
Whichever kind of diamond you decide to buy, or even if you decide to buy no diamond at all, it is important that you press for accountability in the diamond industry. The Kimberley Process and the system of self-regulation have the potential to stop this problem and it is up to us to demand the industry keep their promises. You do not need to be a consumer of diamonds to demand change!
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Question Submitted by Selene:
Amy, How do I know which people are selling me these blood jewels?
Amy O'Meara answers:
It is hard to be 100% sure at this point, but finding out if a jeweler is able to demonstrate their participation in the self- regulation, as described in my first answer to Kelli, is a good way to find out which jewelers are NOT selling blood jewels.
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Question Submitted by Sarah:
Are there any industry standards similar to the "Fair Trade" logo that help consumers to determine that a diamond has been produced under tolerable conditions? Actually, I would love to hear what would be considered acceptable conditions -- are there any in this industry? Please describe them. Thank you! Sarah
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Sarah, thanks for the excellent question. My understanding is that as of now, there is not a label or logo for diamonds to ensure they were produced under tolerable conditions. There is an initiative underway called the 5 C’s, initiated in Belgium, to ensure that diamonds are produced ethically (free from child labor and conflict). But it is in the early stages.
Though despicable labor conditions are another alarming problem associated with the diamond industry (and not wholly unrelated to conflict diamonds), it is not a problem that was addressed in our most recent report. Amnesty is not currently working on labor issues tied to diamonds though we may in the future.
Global Witness, who we collaborated with on the survey, is doing work in this area and has just released a report which you may want to check out. Go to www.globalwitness.org for more information.
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Question Submitted by marijke:
How can I make sure that I never buy a conflict diamond? Are there questions that I should ask the jewler?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi there,
Scroll up to see my answer to Kelli at the start of the chat. The basic questions you should ask are:
· Does the company have a policy in place to prevent selling conflict diamonds? If so, what is the policy and is it in writing?
· Has the company informed its suppliers in writing that the company will require a warranty (not a warranty for quality, but a warranty showing that the diamond is conflict free!)? If so, request to see a sample of a letter written to a supplier and a sample of a warranty provided by a supplier on an invoice.
· Is the company keeping records of the warranties and having these records verified as part of its financial auditing process?
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Question Submitted by Elizabeth Haselwood:
If a jewler says they can get non-conflict diamonds from Canada, can you trust them? Thanks, Elizabeth Haselwood
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Elizabeth,
I am sure there will be many questions today like yours. Hopefully my explanation to Ken above will answer your concerns, however I will add that you do not need to take a jeweler at his word. Under the self-regulation you are entitled to certification through the system of warranties.
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Question Submitted by Mary:
Amy... What diamond jewelers are know to comply with the conflict diamonds policy, and which ones are known not to comply?... Thank You...
Amy O'Meara answers:
Mary, I have a feeling a lot of people will be asking this! And unfortunately it’s not a simple question to answer. Part of our research involved a company management level survey, which asked several questions of the jewelers regarding their policies and practices on conflict diamonds. There were several jewelers that refused to respond to our survey, despite repeated follow up. In the US these include Alvin’s Jewelers, Carlyle and Co., Crescent Jewelers, Friedman’s, Costco, TJ Maxx and Kmart… the list goes on. You can access a spreadsheet which details the company responses to our survey on our website, where a page has been set up showing results of our Day of Action. It is available at: http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/action_update.html
Of course, not responding is not the same as not having a policy and we acknowlege this in our report. Nonetheless it shows a lack of transparency and commitment to the issue which is troubling. If you review the responses in the table you can see an assessment of how well other companies did respond. There is quite a bit of variation!
In the retail level survey which we carried out with our activists across the country, many jewelers told us they did not have a policy… however because the activist-led part of our research was not a controlled study we cannot release the names of those companies, but rather just talk about general trends, such as a lack of knowledge about conflict diamonds, or a widespread inability to show copies of warranties. I can also say that many of the responses we received in the retail survey contradicted answers we got at the management level.
This is why it is important to continue to ask retailers the questions outlined above everytime you visit a jewelry store. Just as jewelers have a responsibility to participate in the self-regulation, consumers have a responsibility to keep asking the hard questions until we can be 100% assured that the system is working.
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Question Submitted by Becky:
How can I, as a consumer, encourage businesses in the U.S. to help stop the use of conflict diamonds?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Becky, I’m glad you asked! There are several things you can do.
Amnesty has created some powerful postcards which you can mail (or hand deliver) to jewelers across the country to demand accountability regarding conflict diamonds. Contact the Corporate Action Network at corpaction@aiusa.org to order a supply.
You can also write letters, similar to the ones we did in our management level survey, expressing your concern about the results of the Amnesty/Global Witness report and asking for further assurances. You can do this in person as well(have the report in hand in case they haven't seen it).
One of the unfortunate things we found out as a result of the retail survey is that customers seldom ask about conflict diamonds. We need to show the industry that we are watching, and that we won’t stand by and let this problem go unsolved. You can help by educating other consumers and concerned citizens about the issue and encouraging them to take action as well.
Amnesty’s Corporate Action Network (CAN) will continue to campaign on this issue. If you are not a member of CAN, you can join by sending an email to corpaction@aiusa.org. Signing up will ensure that you are kept apprised of our ongoing work related to conflict diamonds so that you can participate in future actions.
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Question Submitted by Ericka:
I just want to learn more about conflict diamonds and how they affect our retail stores. Where would you suggest that I go? Regards, Ericka
Amy O'Meara answers:
Ericka… I’m glad you asked that because we have an excellent resource available on our website that addresses this very question! Earlier this fall we conducted a survey of diamond retailers across the US and UK (results are still being compiled across Europe). The results were disconcerting, as it appears retailers are failing to live up to the promises they made under the self-regulation (described above). You can access the full report at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/deja_vu_us.pdf.
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Question Submitted by Samantha:
Are there certain stores that are known for this practice that we should avoid shopping at, or is it an all encompassing problem?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Samantha,
I wish was easy to know without a doubt which companies are contributing to this problem. All we can know for sure at this point is whether a company has a policy in writing and whether they can produce copies of warranties showing that their diamonds are conflict free. This is a good start, and hopefully as the industry increases its transparency with the public we will see even greater assurances. It may bear repeating at this stage that Amnesty generally does not support boycotts.
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Question Submitted by Martha:
Where is the most reliable database, or any other source of information, regarding the source of diamonds purchased in the U.S. today (if any)?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Martha,
I have been told of efforts to develop such a database (based in Canada), but the process is in the early stages. Currently there is no such database that I am aware of.
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Question Submitted by Sarah:
Could you please tell me where I can find more information on this topic? I am interested in finding books, magazines, and websites. Thank you.
Amy O'Meara answers:
A good place to start is with Amnesty's Business & Human Rights webpage: www.amnestyusa.org/business which has an entire section on conflict diamonds. Global Witness’ website is also an excellent resource: www.globalwitness.org.
Once you have exhausted these sources let me know (corpaction@aiusa.org) and I will point you in the direction of some more.
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Question Submitted by Erkanda:
Dear Amy O'Meara: I had a question in relation to Amnesty’s continuing work on business and human rights. So many alarming news keep coming out of the information technology companies in North America helping out the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to suppress freedom of information resulting in many arrests and imprisonments of Chinese tracked by the monitoring tools these companies are selling to China. I have pasted an extract from an article posted last month reporting the CEO of Barracuda as saying, “Going into China wasn't simply a matter of doing the language translations,” said Barracuda CEO Dean Drako, who explained that his product had to satisfy all requirements for IT security products and also pass a special set of tests specifically for anti-spam products. “For example, we had to deal with e-mail coming from Falun Gong organizations.” (URL: http://www.internetweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=50500677 ) These e-mails Dean Drako and his company are trying to stop are the way we, in the West, learn of the horrible torture cases and even deaths of practitioners of Falun Gong and other dissidents in China. What can we as a society do to stop these companies in becoming tools of persecution for the Chinese and stain not only their own conscience but also ours? What can Amnesty do to expose and raise awareness in the American society of the unethical activities of these companies? Thank you very much. Look forward to your answer to Amnesty’s future plan to put this issue on their agenda. Erkanda Bujari
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hello Erkanda,
You raise some very important concerns which the Business & Human Rights Program has been grappling with for some time, and which were touched upon in an Amnesty report put out last year (http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/document.do?id=6219A12C7651806380256DFE00581835). Currently, our program is focused on extractive industries, however in the future we may focus on the human rights impact of "upstream use" of technology, where complicity in abuses is harder to pin and the demands on companies are more complicated. Though Amnesty does not have any actions tied to this issue right now, rest assured that we are aware of it and thinking about how we may address it in the future.
As an activist you can of course start taking action right away by writing letters to companies and expressing your concern. Writing op-eds to draw public attention to this problem is another good idea.
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Question Submitted by Patricia:
Would it not be beneficial if people just stopped buying diamonds?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Dear Patricia,
It is not Amnesty’s opinion that boycotting diamonds will solve this problem, or any other. The best thing you can do is to be vocal about your concerns, and demand change and accountability. Our survey and report are a great example of how people can take action. The survey served the dual purpose of gathering information and expressing concern. It also drew media attention to the issue (see media stories at: http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/survey_press.html). Once the results were compiled we were able to present the results to the World Diamond Congress and the Kimberly Process Plenary so that our message was received by those most in a position to effect change. Amnesty is helping activists combine their voices so that our message cannot be ignored. This is a strategy that works.
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Question Submitted by bob:
i am a jeweler, designer, goldsmith and silver smith trying to sell more laboratory created diamonds (and other stones) than dug out of the ground stones. Where can i get brochures to hand out about conflict diamonds? When people ask why i do not keep any diamonds in stock, i explain my reasons for not having diamonds in stock and then talk about the lab created versions. i think i am on the right track, but would like to have more info to get out there. what can i do?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Bob,
In my answer to Ken, above, I explain that Amnesty does not view synthetic diamonds as a solution to the conflict diamonds problem. For that reason, we cannot condone using our conflict diamond publications or materials as an endorsement of your products.
We are glad that you have educated yourself about the issue of conflict diamonds, and that you are interested in ways to get information out to the public, but we hope you will use your position to push for real change across the industry rather than short-term band-aid solutions.
As a jeweler you have a particular responsibility to push for change within your industry.
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Question Submitted by m bare:
What is requested of members of Amnesty International?
Amy O'Meara answers:
We are asking Amnesty members to continue demanding that retailers and other sectors of the diamond industry demonstrate their commitment to ending conflict diamonds by instituting codes of conduct and the system of warranties (related to conflict diamonds – not traditional quality warranties!) and to audit and report on those processes. You can do this by sending in the postcards described above, writing letters, and talking to jewelers in person.
We also ask that members educate the public and put pressure on consumers to ask questions before making purchases.
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Question Submitted by Leslie:
I am thinking of purchasing a diamond next year. How can I be absolutely sure that it is not a conflict diamond. Also, it would be helpful to know this info. so I can pass it on to others. Thanks for all of your good work. Leslie
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Leslie,
It is hard to be ABSOLUTELY sure. I would recommend that you ask all of the questions described above when you visit jewelers and gather as much proof as you can.
Because the Kimberley Process is only two years old, some diamonds that have been sitting in stores may have been sourced before the new system was in place. Even now, the Kimberley Process and the supporting self-regulation have many bugs to be worked out. It is not a flawless system by any stretch of the imagination. But it is a start and it has the potential to make a difference if we continue to demand that the industry uphold its commitments and press them for improvements and increased transparency.
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Question Submitted by Michael C. Veon:
What penalties are in place by the us and international governments to keep these jewelers in check. Thanks.
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Michael,
I can't claim to be an expert on the intricacies of the law, but I can tell you that there are indeed penalties in place for non-compliance with the Kimberley Process. Each participating country has specific penalties which can be levied when violations occur. In the US, under the Clean Diamond Trade Act, companies may incur civil penalties up to 10K and criminal penalties for willful violations up to 50K with possible prison sentencing. US Customs laws also apply.
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Question Submitted by Heather:
When purchasing a diamond, how do you know if it is a conflict diamond? In addition, many jewlery store employees do not know the issue of conflict diamonds when I ask them about it. Is there a way to track the diamond to see where it is coming from?
Amy O'Meara answers:
The system of warranties described at the beginning of the chat is designed to trace a diamond from mine to point of sale. If it is being instituted properly, it should be a good tool for stemming the trade in conflict diamonds. However, it is not clear at this point whether the system of warranties is effective since many retailers we surveyed were unable to produce copies or explain the processes they had in place.
Hello Heather. Your experience with jewelery store employees was a consistent theme in our recent retail survey. For instance, 37% of the shops we visited claimed to be aware of the conflict diamonds issue, but 54% of them reported an inaccurate definition of the crisis!
Yes, there are warranties related to the industry self-regulation on conflict diamonds which retailers should be able to show you. As a consumer you should be able to demand proof about the 5th C – CONFLICT – just as you expect proof of color, carat, clarity and cut.
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Question Submitted by Joyce:
What can we do to educate people in the US about "blood" diamonds because obviously the jewelers will not lead the way because have too much stake financially in keeping the silence.
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Joyce,
On our National Day of Action, groups across the country not only carried out the survey of retailers, they also tabled at local shopping malls, diamond districts, universities, town halls, etc. This is a good way to help educate the public. You can also make public presentations, for instance in classrooms, in your church, or in your local group or association meetings. These are things that you can do on an ongoing basis, and particularly around Christmas and Valentine’s Day, when many people are considering the purchase of jewelry.
Amnesty has several materials that activists can use. Contact me at corpaction@aiusa.org to order a supply.
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Question Submitted by Jean:
Is there any effort to enlist the help of high profile people of conscience (such as celebrities), to educate the broader public about this issue, get a serious boycott going, and at least throw a scare into the diamond industry?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Jean,
There is an ongoing effort at Amnesty to enlist high profile people of conscience to help generate awareness and support for many of Amnesty's campaigns, including conflict diamonds. However the point of raising awareness is not to start a boycott, which Amnesty does not generally support as a tactic in the struggle against human rights abuses.
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Question Submitted by Jonathan:
With the recent progress in producing diamonds (including gem quality) synthetically, is there any rational reason to buy dug-up stones at all?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Jonathan,
As described in an earlier post,there is a chance that boycotting mined diamonds has the potential to have a negative impact on vulnerable populations who produce diamonds legitimately. Purchasing synthetic diamonds in and of itself is not a way to take action against the conflict diamond problem.
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Question Submitted by Selome:
How many countries in Africa have diamond mines? How many people actually lose their lives in these mines? What is being done to stop this from happening?
Amy O'Meara answers:
There are many African countries with diamond mines including the DRC, Liberia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana... this is not an exhaustive list. Amnesty does not currently have research on the number of lives lost in the mines, rather we have focused our attention on the many millions of lives lost over the years as a result of conflicts fuelled by the diamond trade.
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Question Submitted by Sean H.A.:
Considering the passing of the KPCS how does the United States continue to allow the sale of conflict diamonds in our open market? Which companies should consumers be aware of and how can we spot conflict diamonds? Is there any particular way to identify them so as to insure that I buy a "clean" diamond for my fiance?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Sean,
The KPCS, as enforced by the Clean Diamond Trade Act in the US, helps ensure that conflict diamonds do not enter the US market. However, we are concerned about loopholes in the certification scheme and in the system of self-regulation which may allow blood diamonds to get through. This is why we have to keep pressing the industry for improvements and transparency as detailed in our recent report, Deja Vu (http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/deja_vu_us.pdf). In the background to the report, also available on our website, you can view a chart with the results of our survey which will give you an idea of what policies and procedures companies have in place. Diamond retailers should be able to provide you with a warranty assuring that the diamond you are buying is free from conflict. Demand this wherever you shop for diamonds and let jewelers know that you are concerned about the problem.
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Question Submitted by ermalee:
what are conflict diamonds? If I paid for one that was added to a band ring of diamonds could a jeweler tell it is a conflict diamond? I simply asked for a stone matching the others to be installed.
Amy O'Meara answers:
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and that are used to fund conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses. They have been responsible for funding bloody conflicts in Africa, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. Diamonds have also been used by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda to finance their activities and for money-laundering purposes.
Regarding your recent purchase, you should go back to the jeweler who installed your diamond and ask about his sourcing policies. Depending on the sorts of records that the store keeps, he may be able to provide you with additional information about your diamond. Nonetheless (and I have to keep harping on this!) it is imperative that you contact the jeweler and express your concerns and expectations. If the store does not have a policy and is unable to provide you with the information you are seeking, put pressure on them and continue to check in with them about their progress (or lack thereof). Network with other members of your community to increase the pressure!
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Question Submitted by ntumba kapinga:
It’s certain that the major cause of most of the war that ravage Africa and other parts of the world is the greed for power and control of minerals and there are always allegation that the super powers, the same countries that have promised to keep conflict diamonds out of stores have a hand in the different wars by backing one of the fighting groups. Since it’s a matter of interests and it’s quite clear that they can’t easily honor their promises as the survey has proven, what kind of pressure do you think will be adequate in addressing the issue?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Dear Ntumba,
The key to Amnesty's pressure on companies and governments is in the size of our voice. With 1.8 million members worldwide lending their passion and commitment to our causes, we are a force to be reckoned with.
Many of the problems we grapple with seem insurmountable, and it is easy to get discouraged in the face of so much corruption. But over the years we have witnessed the success of Amnesty's approach.
A key to our strategy is identifying several simultaneous targets for activism, as exemplified by the recent survey which dealt not only with the leadership of the diamond industry (companies, suppliers and trade associations) but also retail stores. Likewise, while our armies of human rights defenders are out demanding change on the ground, we are also working at the policy level, and at the level of international legal accountability - to create change from the top. You can learn more about these strategies by visiting the Business & Human Rights website: www.amnestyusa.org/business.
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Question Submitted by Stephen:
I remember reading about conflict diamonds from the AI newsletter and I shared it with my coworkers. One dismissed the findings with the comment that "but women love them [diamonds]" or something like that. How do you approach challenges like this, when the product is so appealing to the general public that they aren't willing to consider where it came from?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Steven. First of all let me commend you on your effort to bring this issue to the attention of your co-workers.
There are many strategies you can use in challenging situations like this. First of all, you can be clear that the point is not that people should stop buying diamonds altogether, but that they should be scrupulous in their buying decisions, and furthermore, that as a consumer of diamonds they are in a position of power to demand change.
As described earlier in this chat, there is a system of warranties in place that is designed to help ensure diamonds purchased in the US are free from conflict.
Most people do not take the purchase of a diamond lightly, and put a great deal of research into the other "C's" - carat, cut, color, and clarity. Asking about conflict should be a logical next step and you can give them the questions outlined at the beginning of this chat as a guide.
Moreover, you can hopefully appeal to their conscience. With diamonds it may be a bit easier than other industries, such as apparel, since a diamond is often an emotional purchase. You could suggest that demanding high standards from jewelers is an easy way to make a difference in the lives of people suffering in Africa. Or ask your co-worker whether they think a woman would enjoy wearing a piece of jewelry that had contributed to terror, rape or murder. You could suggest that taking the extra step to ensure the diamond is blood-free makes the gift that much more beautiful and meaningful. There are many creative ways to handle these situations and hopefully these ideas will get you started...
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Question Submitted by Jasmine:
Last year I began training to become a bench jeweler (the person who makes the jewelry), and have therefore had the opportunity to take part in professional discussions on a wide range of events, including conflict diamonds. I've been a human rights activist and Amnesty Int'l supporter for much longer than I've been a jeweler, and the my first real awareness of the conflict diamond issue came in a seminar for jewelry store owners from across my home state of Oklahoma on complying with the Kimberly Process (a chain-of-supply system of assurance that all diamonds are conflict-free) and the section of the Patriot Act that requires us not to engage in trade that supports terrorism (the only provision I've heard of the Act so far that makes any sense to me, or that I'd be even remotely willing to support). From what I have been able to observe in my time in the industry (about a year and a half now) jewelers are making an effort to keep conflict diamonds out of the supply chain, and we discuss the issue frequently among ourselves. What responses from the industry has Amnesty received that instigated this campaign, and what aspects of the Kimberly Process and other measures taken by the industry are considered inadequate to the task of stopping conflict diamonds. Or, more simply, what can I and my colleagues do that we aren't doing already?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Dear Jasmine,
Your message is certainly encouraging, however it is not at all representative of what we encountered in our recent survey. In our retail survey we found a significant lack of fluency on the issue of conflict diamonds, and a widespread inability to produce or explain policies tied to the Kimberley Process or the system of warranties. At the management level, several stores were completely unwilling to disuss their policies.
Though there is evidence that steps have been taken, particularly at the rough level, to stem the trade in conflict diamonds, there are still loopholes that we are concerned with. We believe the current system of self-regulation is inadequate, particularly monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and that that all sectors of the diamond pipeline, including retailers, should have management systems to ensure that they are not dealing in conflict diamonds. On page 5 of the report we recently issued in collaboration with Global Witness (which is available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/deja_vu_us.pdf ) there are several specific recommendations that we have requested of the retail sector, trade associations, and governments. I encourage you to review this carefully and share it with your colleagues. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at corpaction@aiusa.org.
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Question Submitted by Sharon:
It seems that diamonds are being advertised more and more. Do we know who mines the diamonds, and who actually brings them into the country to be sold to jewelers?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Sharon,
This is exactly what the system of warranties is for. You should be able to request copies of warranties when you purchase a diamond.
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Question Submitted by Tricia:
A lot of jewellers will tell you that their diamonds are conflict-free and even give you a certificate, but I still feel skeptical. Should I trust them?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Tricia,
I am sure your skepticism is shared by many taking part in the chat today. Monitoring and evaluation of the system of warranties is imperative in order to establish the credibility of certificates. Improving these mechanisms is one of the primary recommendations we have made to industry and goverments as a result of the survey.
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Question Submitted by Jacqueline:
Are you planning on organizing something to help with this situation? If so, what is it and how can I help?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Jacqueline,
We recently carried out a nationwide Day of Action on conflict diamonds which involved Amnesty Members in 18 states visiting diamond retailers and conducting a survey about the Kimberly Process and the system of warranties. Subsequent to that we released a report, Deja Vu, which is available on our website: http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/deja_vu_us.pdf.
We created a webpage which shares pictures and stories from the Day of Action, as well as media stories about the survey results at: www.amnestyusa.org/business/action_update.html.
Because the results of the survey indicate that the retail sector still has a long way to go, we are encouraging activists to keep the pressure on jewelers. We have created persuasive postcards for this purpose, although you can also write your own letters or simply go to stores and voice your concerns in person. There is also an ongoing need to educate the public about the issue, and you can help with that.
We will likely organize another nationwide action to follow up the survey in February. In the meantime, if you are interested in planning a group action in your region, you should get in touch with your local Corporate Action Network (CAN) Coordinator. Write to me at corpaction@aiusa.org and I will put you in contact.
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Question Submitted by Elena:
Do you know if Tiffany's uses conflict diamonds?
Amy O'Meara answers:
All that we can report on is whether Tiffany & Co has a policy - which they do. As detailed in the results table of our background report (available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/dv_background.pdf) Tiffany & Co replied to our survey with a detailed letter outlining procedures for implementing the system of warranties, applying criteria to the selection of suppliers, and auditing measures. They also included a copy of their policy statement. This policy does not appear on their website.
What this means is that if you are considering a diamond from Tiffany and Co., they should be able to provide you with the warranties and policies to demonstrate that it is free from conflict. As a consumer, it is up to you to test this policy at the retail level to see whether and how it is being implemented. Be sure to ask the three key questions outlined at the beginning of this chat.
And of course, report back to us on your experience! You can email me via the Corporate Action Network at corpaction@aiusa.org.
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Question Submitted by Nic`:
okay, so I feel kinda stupid for asking, but I have no idea what a conflict diamond is. Could you give me a brief definition?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Nic,
This isn't a stupid question at all - in fact, when we asked diamond retailers who participated in our survey if they knew what conflict diamonds were, only 37% answered yes. Pressed further to actually give us a definition, 54% described the problem inaccurately!
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and that are used to fund conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses. They have been responsible for funding bloody conflicts in Africa, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. Diamonds have also been used by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda to finance their activities and for money-laundering purposes.
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Question Submitted by Kyle:
This is crazy because I just read about the act that President Bush recently signed to keep "dirty diamonds" out of the United States. What was this Act called and how will it influence the American supply curve of diamonds? Won't this hurt our national economy?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Kyle,
The act you are referring to is the Clean Diamond Trade Act, which was adopted by Congress in 2003.
Though I am not an economist, I have never heard any claim that the act has hurt our economy or negatively impacted the American supply curve of diamonds.
To be clear, all organs of society, including companies, have a responsibility to uphold and promote human rights, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That some companies and governments engage in human rights abuses for economic gain is abhorrent and unacceptable. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence (often termed the business case) which suggests that promoting and protecting human rights can have positive impacts on business, including creating a better investment climate.
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Question Submitted by Josh:
Are problems limited to diamonds, or do they extend to other gems--rubies and sapphires in particular? Thanks!
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Josh,
A few people have asked this question today and I don't have a complete answer at this time. As far as I know, Amnesty has not reported on gems other than diamonds, however it is likely that similar problems exist. I will have to research this further and get back to you.
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Question Submitted by Lindsey:
Do we know the actual (or approximate) percentage of blood diamonds in mainstream trade and circulation?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Lindsey,
This question was not at the center of our most recent research by Amnesty and Global Witness, so it is difficult for me to comment on it directly. The purpose of our research was to assess progress made (particularly at the retail level, though also among trade associations and suppliers) as regards implementation of the Kimberley Process and the system of self-regulation. As has been described, these systems are designed to PREVENT conflict diamonds from ever entering the mainstream trade. If we can show the process has no holes, we can deduce that it is keeping the conflict diamonds out. Right now it appears that there are still holes in the system. I have heard a range of estimates of the percentages of blood diamonds in mainstream trade and circulation, but Amnesty has not confirmed them.
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Question Submitted by Thao:
hello Amy, What can Jewelers do to educate consumers about the conflict diamonds? Are there Jewelers who are commited to providing this information to the public?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Thao,
We all know that jewelers put a lot of energy into educating consumers when it comes to the 4 C's - carat, cut, clarity and color. It does not seem too onerous to expect them to provide a similar level of education for consumers regarding the issue of CONFLICT.
In fact, under the self-regulation which all jewelers committed to, they have a responsibility to train their staff on these issues. Some jewelers have taken this seriously and their salespeople are empowered to educate consumers. Likewise, some jewelers have educational materials available for consumers and the public on their webpages. But our retail level survey suggest that there are significant gaps when it comes to the retail sector's ability to provide information and assurances to customers.
You can review the list of company responses to our management level survey at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/dv_background.pdf.
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Question Submitted by Sabrina:
Are there "safe" retailers to buy from? Isn't it better just to buy estate stones and have them re-set?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Sabrina,
Amnesty cannot endorse companies, likewise we cannot advocate for the purchase of estate jewelry over other types of jewelry. You may want to read some of the earlier posts which deal with the questions of boycotts, Canadian and synthetic diamonds.
What we can do is provide you the information we collected as part of our survey. This info may be useful as you discuss these issues with jewelers and make purchasing decisions. You can view the tables of data in the supplementary background document which is available online at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/dv_background.pdf.
In general, the results of our survey were pretty grim.
59% (145 stores) were unwilling to discuss whether or not they had a policy on conflict diamonds
27% (66 stores) indicated that they had a policy; 11% (27) indicated that they had no policy at all
A higher number – 37% claimed to be aware of the conflict diamond issue, but 54% of those reported an inaccurate definition of the crisis.
Only 13% provided warranties to demonstrate implementation of the self-regulation to their customers – however more than 70% were unwilling to discuss whether they had a system of warranties in place.
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Question Submitted by anna:
Are there any communications (media campaign) targeted to the general public so that they are knowledgeable to ask the jeweler about this?
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Anna,
Amnesty has always aimed to focus media attention (US and abroad) on the issue of conflict diamonds. You can read some of the press coverage for our most recent report at http://www.amnestyusa.org/business/survey_press.html.
In addition to press, we also communicate using our most valuable asset - our members. Activists all over the US and Europe have been campaigning on this issue, demanding change from the diamond industry and raising awareness among the public through tabling and presentations. We also encourage our members to talk to their local media and to attempt to get articles and op-eds placed on the issue. To learn more about the ways activists can get involved with public awareness raising on this and other business & human rights issues, join the Corporate Action Network by emailing corpaction@aiusa.org.
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Question Submitted by Jonathan:
How did the World Diamond Council respond to the findings of the Amnesty/Global Witness survey of retailers awareness of the Kimberely process? Thanks.
Amy O'Meara answers:
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the excellent question! To be honest, the presentation we made to the World Diamond Council was harrowing at times, since the results of the survey were far from flattering for the diamond industry. Many at the WDC passionately but unsuccessfully argued against our results, and tried to discredit the legitimacy of our recommendations. However, in the end they accepted that there is much work left to be done and adopted a resolution that included reference to our concerns. We will be watching to see if they follow up with concrete action according to our recommendations to ensure that diamonds are never used to pay for murder, torture, or other abuses in Africa.
And with that, I would like to draw this chat to a close. Thanks so much to everyone who submitted questions! I hope the chat was useful and informative for everyone and look forward to continuing the conversation and action on this important issue.
Please feel free to contact me at corpaction@aiusa.org if you have further questions or would like to learn more about Amnesty's Business & Human Rights Program and the Corporate Action Network.
Be sure to visit our webpage at www.amnestyusa.org/business for information and updates on all of our campaigns.
In solidarity,
Amy O'Meara
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