The Kimberley Process (KP) only bans “rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments”. Cut and polished diamonds that fund war crimes evade the human rights strictures of the KP and are sold worldwide as conflict-free diamonds.

The global diamond trade is heavily contaminated with cut and polished blood diamonds that are a major source of revenue ($1bn/yr) for the Israeli military regime. The Israeli military stands accused of war crimes by the UN Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Israeli human rights organisation Bt’selem.

Rough diamonds from Africa are exported to Israel where they generate thousands of jobs and revenue for the apartheid regime which is guilty of occupation and gross human rights violations against the Palestinian people.

African diamonds should be cut and polished in Africa where they can provide employment for thousands of people and generate revenue for the benefit of communities in Africa.

We call for:

1. The exclusion of Israel from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
2. The remit of the KP to include cut and polished diamonds as well as rough diamonds
3. An end to all exports of rough diamonds to Israel
4. Call for companies in Africa to be incentivised, in consultation with trade union structures, to expand existing cutting and polishing facilities and develop new facilities, so that Africans can enjoy the fullest benefits of their country’s natural resources.