Control system proposed for conflict diamonds

The European Commission has proposed fighting the trade in “conflict diamonds” by means of a strict control system.

The new regulations target any company caught handling diamonds that fail to meet the strict criteria of the United Nation’s Kimberley process.

Every container of diamonds for import must have its content verified. A container can hold hundreds of individual packets of diamonds, and each packet will have to be weighed and independently valued.

Conflict diamonds are diamonds that are mined or stolen by government or rebel military forces in order to finance civil wars in Africa. They are traded either for guns or cash to pay and feed soldiers.

The control system is being proposed at a sensitive time for Antwerp, Belgium, as some of its largest diamond companies are being lured to emerging centres. For example, De Beers recently announced the opening of an office in Dubai.