Conflict Minerals: Consensus Eludes New Definition for ‘Blood Diamonds’

Nov 27, 2019 | Tribune
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An attempt for a new, expanded definition of conflict diamonds eluded consensus during a meeting of the Kimberley Process countries here. India is the current chair of the Kimberley Process, a multi-nation effort to prevent the sale of rough diamonds in Africa to sustain conflicts against governments. The new definition quarterbacked by the US was to include violence by a broader set of actors, including state security forces in the definition. Many countries at the meeting held here felt that the current definition’s limited focus on rebel groups does not sufficiently protect the legitimacy of the rough diamond supply chain.