The Pros And Cons Of Blood Diamonds

Therefore, if this CST was present in Sierra Leone then the Blood Diamond trading could’ve been prevented or minimized.

Considering the U.N.’s response to the war in Sierra Leone, it has a long way to go in its responsibility to ensure “legitimate governance under international law.” But U.N. efforts alone won’t stop the senseless killing in Sierra Leone over illicit diamonds. Kayne West’s song and video about “blood diamonds” makes us take an honest look at ourselves and ask: Is my fascination with diamonds contributing to the violence in Sierra

Blood Minerals is an article surrounding the bloodshed in the democratic republic of Congo over the 3TG metals used in the production of smartphones. The conflict surrounding the mining of the metals has resulted in deaths as well, many civilians having to flee the country. The vast wealth of natural metals such as tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold; has resulted in the abuse of basic human rights and the taxing of the individuals that mine them by militants. The companies that are under scrutiny are under the belief that having to declare the use of conflict minerals is a breach of their freedom of speech. Companies are often saying that they cannot determine whether they have received metals from conflict

By definition, strife precious stones are jewels that begin from mines that are under the control of revolutionary gatherings that are battling against their nation's legislature. Sierra Leone, a little nation on the west bank of Africa, (in this paragraph you need to elaborate a little bit more) has throughout the previous ten years been under the fear of an ever display common war. This war is being battled between a radical gathering known as the Revolutionary United Front and Sierra Leone's available government. The RUF took control of some of Sierra Leones wealthiest diamond mines in the mid-nineties centuries. They now utilize the benefits they make from these precious stones to purchase weapons for their armed force, made up for the

Have they ever posed the question; where is all of this coming from? It begins in the Republic of Congo, where the mineral coltan is quarried. Coltan, used commonly in smart phones and computers, is in high demand, demand so high, it can lead to the death of hundreds of citizens that are being forced to mine it. As the CBC news article “Coltan; A New Blood Mineral” apprises its reader, numerous more community’s lives will be permanently altered by the mining of coltan. “Potential mines are also being explored in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greenland, Mozambique, the United States, Finland, Afghanistan, Venezuela and Colombia.” (CBC) it is claimed. This can only mean countless more residents may be forced out of their homes, or to work in atrocious, inhumane conditions mining for the North American obsession. Though Sylvie, from Blue Gold, is a fictional character, the conflicts that she faces on an unvarying basis are a reality for innumerable African people at any given moment. However, with the nickname ‘blood mineral’, it is insinuated that coltan is the culprit, though this is not the case. As Sylvie bluntly puts it, “‘Coltan is just a rock. [...] It’s the fighters who hurt people” (Stewart 163), something the people in the Congo may forget. It is the simple truth that coltan mining is inevitable. The

This essay will have info based off the story the article Blood Diamonds written by Greg Campbell. I will be giving a brief summary of

In one online article, the author quotes a man that was a part of the mining in Congo, and shows how the trade of conflict minerals across the world is funding a war. He says that more

Slavery was abolished in the year of 1865; however, the maltreatment of African-Americans has not. Similarly, the triangular slave trade mentioned in Hartman’s book is no longer existent, but inhumane conditions still exist amongst the African community. These conditions are recurring motifs that hip-hop artist try to bring to mainstream audiences. The blood diamond industry began in the 1990s with the rebel group, Revolutionary United Front (RUF), led by Foday Sankoh, who had claimed they would improve the destitute conditions of the Africans and take better care of them than the African government. However, they later went against these promises and “seized control of diamond-producing regions in the east and south of Sierra Leone” (Fofana,

BLOOD DIAMONDS airs to some of the world's leading experts for the facts of the account of the diamond trade, and goes to the core of the matter, interviewing of both the victims and perpetrators of the diamond-fueled carnages in countries like the Sierra Leone. One such victim interviewed is Usman Conteh. Just before the start of the civil war Usman Conteh, a regular teenager of age about 17 was abducted during the rebel raid on his home town. Usman Conteh had projected to be executed, but as one of the group of a hundred, incidentally he was taken to the mines and enforced to work at gunpoint, all day and night. Rebels kept hovering over each captive, guarding against any escape or theft. After being captive for months, Usman finally escaped

Due to these Blood Diamonds, Sierra Leone has faced many social and economic costs. One diamond is capable of causing a civil war. That’s all, a fight over diamond control took many lives. During this civil war, rebels came and committed disgusting crimes including murder,

Much of what I discovered in watching this film has helped me see things in a different light. Not just diamonds but every other product imaginable could’ve commenced the same chaos the diamonds caused in Africa. This commotion may not only happen in Africa but also in any other country. Innocent people like Solomon, who just wanted to live their life in a quiet environment, are dragged into the turmoil constructed by the greedy individuals who only see money and power as the most important things in this world. The fact that the rebels cut off the citizens’ arms so that they won’t be able to vote was very disturbing. They recognize the people’s power that’s why they had to prevent the citizens to vote, so that they could stay in power. The citizens have

It was enacted for the 54 members in 2003 when all the certification and legislation parameters were formed based on a consensus of the General Assembly (Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Core Document). These 54 members are now responsible for a vast majority of the diamonds legally traded worldwide and ensure that the basis for these diamonds do not infringe upon basic human rights ("KB Basis" Kimberley Process). People are not allowed to openly trade diamonds that have a “conflict” source in an attempt to reduce violations of humanitarian rights.

“Diamonds are forever.” Or are they really? For about 80 years, the De Beers diamond company has pulled off the biggest marketing scheme ever known to mankind. Indeed, how much would you estimate your diamond engagement ring wrapped around your finger? A fair amount would be the right thing to say. However, the compressed carbon stone is worth a lot less than anyone would imagine, which is why De Beers has been such a successful company, who, thanks to a good use of marketing as well as strategy, has led the entire planet to believe that diamonds are rare, luxurious and expensive stones. They are the leader in their field, as the De Beers diamond output from their own activities is about 40% of the world’s total rough diamonds. The key to their success is that they have implemented a single channel distribution, controlling about 70% of the world’s diamonds as they pass through the CSO (Central Selling Organization, owned by De Beers), which regulates the diamond output to the market, to controls the supply and therefore the high prices. “Since the late 1800’s the South African multinational has regulated both the industrial and gemstone diamond markets, and effectively maintained an illusion of diamond scarcity” (Hollensen, 2007).

The governments in the diamond industry have a lot of control what the companies can do. When mining diamonds many of land and resources are used. Governments have to take the interest of their people and also take into account what impact the diamond industry has on the local environment. In the country of Angola diamond mining has had a huge impact. Brilliantearth.com states “irresponsible diamond mining has caused soil erosion, led to deforestation, and forced local populations to relocate” (Brilliant Earth, n.d.). Governments also have to regulate labor laws for their country. In some countries diamonds are mined by small children in unsafe conditions. These responsibilities fall under the local government to protect the land from these mining companies. Local governments can write laws and regulations require diamond mining companies to take extra precautions in order to operate. This could require the diamond company to decide is it worth it to follow these regulations or find a cheaper place to mind

In the modern diamond market, there is a plethora of minerals waiting to be mined. Within Africa’s southern region, Zimbabwe has found diamonds to be a vital commodity in sustaining the country. In order to reach these minerals, mining companies must find a steady supply of labor to mine and sort the diamonds before they are later “sold rough” in wholesale to dealers, distributed to be cut, polished, and turned into jewelry at manufacturing plants, and marketed by retailers to finally be sold to customers. (Levin, 2014, p.24). Zimbabwe’s main mine is Marange Field, a mine run by the government that handles unofficial “conflict diamonds” – diamonds used to finance rebellious wars. (Nicholas, 2012, p.650) Although technically “conflict free” under the Kimberly Process, Zimbabwe over the past 15 years has continued to commit human rights abuses. Allowed by Zimbabwe’s government influence and the high supply of desperate families living in poverty available to mine for the precious gems, a thriving international industry emerged. This control of desperation allows producers of Marange Fields to use forced labor within the supply chain. (Baker, 2015, p. 65)