www.fataltransactions.nl

On February 13 2003 the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to ban conflict diamonds has finally come into force in all European Union member states. To allow countries to adapt to this new regulation a world-wide transition period has been agreed upon. During this transition period offenders of the KPCS will not be penalised.

The Council of Ministers of the European Union decided at the end of January to postpone the implementation because important diamond producing and trading countries, such as Angola, Botswana, USA and Russia did not have in place the laws and regulations necessary to carry out the Kimberley Process.

According to the European Commission implementation of the Kimberley Process at that moment would have meant that at least 50% of the European diamond trade would grind to a halt since half of the diamond imports would become irregular and could not be allowed to enter the European Union.
Europe’s main diamond trading countries, Belgium and the UK, demanded this delay to protect their commercial interests.

Just two weeks after this postponement, under international outcry, the EU recalled its decision. From February 13 the certification scheme to ban blood diamonds has officially started. Fatal Transactions is relieved that countries found a way out of the impasse and showed commitment to the KPSC.

Resources: Kimberley Process official website Kimberley Process related documents European Union related documents

However, the underlying causes that would have led to a dramatic decline in diamond imports, remain unaddressed. It is a farce to start European control of certificates that have been issued in countries where, until this very day, no legislation whatsoever exists to back up the KPSC. And it is a farce to issue European Kimberley certificates for export to a country, like the USA, where no control mechanism is in place.

The transition period is a continuing dress rehearsal. Fatal Transactions urges all members of the Kimberley Process to take this dress rehearsal very serious and remember that the critics are prepared for opening night.

Note for editors, not for publication:

Fatal Transactions is an international consumer campaign consisting of Novib-Oxfam Netherlands, Medico International Germany, Intermón-Oxfam Spain, NiZA and IBIS, Denmark calling on the public and other interested organisations to ask governments and companies involved in extractive industries to implement effective controls to ensure that the trade in natural resources does not finance or otherwise support conflict and economic injustice in Africa.
You can contact Ms Judith Sargentini, International Campaign Co-ordinator at mobile phone 31.6.19626029 or Ms Kirsten Hund at NiZA, 31 20 5206210.