NGOs Call for Greater Consultation with Civil Society

Cautious approval was expressed by NGO Global Witness at the results of the Kimberley Process Plenary, saying that, while they welcome the outcome of the session, there is still much work left to do. The plenary ended Thursday in Brussels with action taken on strengthening controls over rough diamond trading and manufacturing.

Global Witness called on trading and manufacturing countries to carry out effective enforcement measures to ensure adequate government oversight over the trade of rough diamonds.

The Brussels Declaration represents a significant shift as the Kimberley Process has been focused mainly on mining operations and not on manufacturing or trade.

“Weak controls and enforcement in major trading and manufacturing centers are undermining the effectiveness of the KP and allowing conflict and illicit diamonds to enter the legitimate trade,” commented Annie Dunnebacke of Global Witness. “Countries should move quickly to strengthen internal controls as outlined in the Brussels declaration.”

The coalition of NGOs, civil society groups from 16 countries, called on the KP the meaningfully engage and consult with civil society on KP implementation at the national level, in particular during review visits and preparation of annual reports.

“Many KP member governments are not meaningfully engaging civil society organizations in KP implementation in their home countries. The KP has everything to gain from broadening, deepening and financing civil society participation,” said Alfred Brownell of Green Advocates in Liberia. “We in West Africa are a long haul away from prosperity diamonds.”

The NGOs are also urging India, as incoming Chair of the Kimberley Process and the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing center, to demonstrate solid leadership in strengthening the Process and to build on ongoing efforts to close loopholes in cutting and polishing centers.