News Release

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9 April 2003

USA

Statement on the Clean Diamond Act

by Adotei Akwei, Advocacy Director for Africa Amnesty International USA

Amnesty International welcomes the passage today of legislation to combat the trade in conflict diamonds. This legislation will cut funding for terror, conflict and human rights violations by tens of millions of dollars while protecting legitimate trade from diamond-producing countries.

The passage of the Clean Diamond Trade Act is the result of a multi-year effort by thousands of Amnesty International activists, our colleagues in the Campaign to Eliminate Conflict Diamonds, the Jewelers of America, and the committed leadership of our friends in the House and Senate. Public awareness of the scope and urgency of the problem was greatly increased by investigative reporting, notably by Doug Farah of the Washington Post.

This legislation underscores the growing influence of a public that demands goods and services produced by socially responsible businesses and industries. We will continue to work to encourage other industries to conduct their operations in a way that observes and protects labor, environmental and human rights standards.

Finally, let us remember the people on whose behalf we first initiated this campaign: the victims of war and brutality throughout West and Central Africa. Many millions suffered displacement, injury and death inflicted by groups who were funded by illicit diamond proceeds. Even with passage of this legislation, and the closing of the US marketplace to conflict diamonds, much remains to be done to heal their wounds, bring their persecutors to justice, and rebuild lives in which human rights are fully respected.