Eli Izhakoff, president and CEO of the World Diamond Council, expressed “regret” that he cannot sincerely say that government, civil society and the business community can come together and tackle a major humanitarian issue within the Kimberley Process.

 

Izhakoff had a number of somber words in a speech on his behalf at the Kimberley Process meeting in Namibia.

 

“At last years’ Kimberley Process plenary in New Delhi, I said that this unique structure ‘represents one of the very rare instances in history that government, civil society and the business community have come together to tackle a major humanitarian issue.’

 

“You will, I hope, understand that it is with profound regret that I find myself, just seven months later, unable to echo those words with the sincerity that such a claim deserves,” he said.

 

Izhakoff called for greater cooperation among members, stating, “The fact is that to be truly effective, the Kimberley Process requires full political and logistical support from its member states and international institutions and the wider international community.  

 

“With only a few exceptions, there is little evidence to suggest that the Kimberley Process is receiving this level of support. It is therefore, unsurprising that events and activities associated with the illegal appropriation of valuable natural resources go unchecked.”

 

While noting that it is beyond the capacity of the KP to directly deal with human rights issues on its own, government officials can work together to ensure that the resources and political will are mobilized to address them. 

 

He called on governments to renew their commitment by providing KP with support and resources. 

 

“[W]e join civil society in specifically calling for governments to:

 

·        Take swift action when faced with cases of non-compliance and agree on interim suspension mechanism with clear criteria;

·        Require of its participants stronger government oversight of the diamond industry, including spot checks of companies;

·        Require the cutting and polishing sector to adhere to KP minimum standards;

·        Require participants to improve internal controls and increase collaboration and enforcement efforts to combat rough diamond smuggling”

 

“Misery and oppression imposed upon innocents anywhere in the world is of deep concern to everyone, whether it affects the work of the Kimberley Process or not.”

 

Finally, Izhakoff criticized the “endless and sterile debate about expanding the scope of the Kimberley Process,” calling to focus on expanding the participation within and around KP. 

 

“Furthermore, we would like to see more active engagement and co-operation between the Kimberley Process and other initiatives, such as the EITI – another government-run organization burdened with unreasonable expectations that it alone can deal, in its case, with corruption.”