KP Civil Society Coalition in Mumbai: we don't want sanctions or embargoes

Shamiso Mtisi, the Zimbabwean lawyer who heads the Kimberley Process (KP) Civil Society Coalition (CSC), who addressed the Opening Session of the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting (KPI) in Mumbai, India, emphasized that the discussions on the broadening of the KP scope, meaning the broadening of the term 'conflict diamonds' to included human rights violations, should not raise anxieties about possible adverse impacts on trade. He said that rather, the reverse is intended. Addressing the governmental and industry delegates in the room, he said: "Indeed, it is you that hold the reigns to ensuring that [this does not happen]."

"KP observers have made it clear that any new KP mandate would need to be applied in a fair and impartial way that can support rather than penalize states. Civil society for example is not looking for the imposition of nationwide embargoes or sanctions. We recognize that this is not always the most effective intervention. It is precisely through the KP that states facing cases of violence or other forms of abuse should be able to seek the support needed to address them.

There are a range of possible interventions, including better formalization of artisanal mining and training for security forces. For example, in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Mining Company (ZCDC) on its own accord, has so far organized three Diamond Security Conferences that brought together communities, civil society, Government, mining companies and State and private security forces to discuss the situation in Marange. ZCDC has also been planning to seek support for training of its staff and private security personnel on human rights.

In Sierra Leone, Government has been working closely with civil society groups through a tripartite system to address problems in the diamond sector, including on internal controls. This openness is increasingly stimulating interest in sourcing from the country. The KP can innovatively seek to apply such tools in dealing with situations of violence or human rights abuse including inviting relevant human rights bodies or other relevant agencies at the national, regional or international level to assist.

It is important to understand therefore, expanding the KP's scope does not necessarily mean imposing more embargoes - it means helping states to create conditions that can make diamonds free from ethical issues and attract discerning millennial consumers.

Of course, scope is not the only reform issue on the agenda this week. The KP CSC looks forward to working with you in driving forward progress on the other highly significant issues of reform. Here we look forward to advancing progress on the enhancement of the Peer Review process, the establishment of an effective, impartial and Permanent Secretariat and the positioning of a Multi-Donor Fund capable of supporting KP implementation among those who find the burden the most difficult to bear.

The KP CSC also particularly looks forward to contributing to discussions in the Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production. It is keen to advance follow up to last year's successful Artisanal Diamond Mining Forum, as well as April's launch of the KP regional approach for the Central Africa region. It also intends to closely follow discussions on how the issue of confiscated diamonds is to be addressed by participants in the Working Group of Diamond Experts and the Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production. 

Photo: From left: Stephane Fischler, President of the World Diamond Council); Mr. Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, KP Chair, and Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) India; Alexander Pshenichnikov, KP Vice Chair, Head of the precious metals and precious stones Corporate Affairs Department, Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation, and Mr. Shamiso Mtisi, Coordinator of the KP Civil Society Coalition at the inauguration of The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) Intersessional Meeting 2019.