Repeat Calls for KP Reform Include Enforcement Mechanism
October 30, 11(IDEX Online News) – American diamond organizations are calling for reforms in the Kimberley Process against a backdrop of growing criticism that the system lacks the ability to effectively deal with rogue countries.
Jewelers of
- Establishing a permanent KP Secretariat
- Development of an improved voting system
- Development of an arbitration and conciliation system with regard to Participant dispute resolution
- More systematic internal control monitoring of participants
- A robust enforcement mechanism
JA and DMIA – which represent fine jewelry retailers, diamond traders and manufacturers in the
The call joins similar ones voiced in the past few years. The need for reform comes as countries such as
On Monday, the annual KP Plenary opens in
Additionally, JA and the DMIA strongly urge Plenary Participants to commit to ongoing efforts to develop ways to strengthen the KP to meet new consumer expectations, ensuring that the KP includes within its mandate:
- The inclusion of the human rights of populations living in and around diamond mining areas
- The inclusion of the prohibition of any form of violence around diamond mining, not only rebel-related violence, but inclusive of state-related violence and violence by foreign groups
“We have reached a crossroads where the KP must take steps to evolve as a system and make improvements that enable it to better address issues that fall outside its initial mandate,” says JA President & CEO Matthew A. Runci. "If these changes cannot happen within the KP, the industry will have to find its own solutions to maintain consumer confidence.”
Runci's statement is understood to refer to ongoing efforts to formulate an alternative to KP, possibly based on the Chain of Custody proposed by RJC.
Perhaps e attempting to calm concerns about such a move, DMIA President Ronald Friedman said this weekend, “The KP is the foundation upon which all other systems are anchored.” says.
“Furthermore, we cannot minimize the importance of the KP in terms of what it has accomplished, nor should we deny its shortcomings. We must concentrate and focus on strengthening consumer confidence by defending the interests of all participants in the diamond pipeline,” Friedman added.