Blood Diamonds Sustainability and Human Rights

Conflict Diamonds Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments

Conflict Diamonds Conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa Conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa This seventeen-year- old lost both hands to rebels’ machetes This seventeen-year- old lost both hands to rebels’ machetes

Controls on conflict diamonds cut off sources of funding for rebels, help shorten wars and prevent their recurrence. Controls on conflict diamonds cut off sources of funding for rebels, help shorten wars and prevent their recurrence. Peace in diamond producing regions will bring about the potential for economic development and tax revenue for building infrastructure as legitimate mining ventures increase. Peace in diamond producing regions will bring about the potential for economic development and tax revenue for building infrastructure as legitimate mining ventures increase.

Blood Diamonds and Sustainability What is sustainability? What is sustainability? What is economic sustainability? What is economic sustainability? How are blood diamonds related to sustainability? How are blood diamonds related to sustainability?

Victims of civil war fueled by blood diamonds

Angola In 1998, the United Nations (UN) placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them In 1998, the United Nations (UN) placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them Today Angola’s civil war has ended and the country is now a legitimate part of the diamond trade. Today Angola’s civil war has ended and the country is now a legitimate part of the diamond trade.

Sierra Leone Following international concern at the role played by the illicit diamond trade in fueling conflict in Sierra Leone, the Security Council adopted resolution 1306 on July 5, 2000 imposing a ban on the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone not controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime Following international concern at the role played by the illicit diamond trade in fueling conflict in Sierra Leone, the Security Council adopted resolution 1306 on July 5, 2000 imposing a ban on the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone not controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime

Canadian Diamonds Look for the GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED CANADIAN DIAMOND™ symbol. It distinguishes each CANADIAN DIAMOND mined, cut and polished to exacting quality standards in Canada's Arctic. Look for the GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED CANADIAN DIAMOND™ symbol. It distinguishes each CANADIAN DIAMOND mined, cut and polished to exacting quality standards in Canada's Arctic. Factories participating in the program are required to keep detailed records on each stone and are required to submit reports of purchases and processing of individual stones at key stages in the manufacturing process. Factories participating in the program are required to keep detailed records on each stone and are required to submit reports of purchases and processing of individual stones at key stages in the manufacturing process.

because they are completely traced from the diamond mine source they are derived from all the way to the diamond cutters, wholesalers and retailers to you. Canadian diamonds are often sought after by those who wish to get non-conflict diamonds because they are completely traced from the diamond mine source they are derived from all the way to the diamond cutters, wholesalers and retailers to you.

Child Soldiers and Blood Diamonds To aid in the civil war efforts, child soldiers are often stolen from their families and forced to serve in the military. To aid in the civil war efforts, child soldiers are often stolen from their families and forced to serve in the military. Drugs, sexual assault, violence, murder and war become a reality for children enslaved. Drugs, sexual assault, violence, murder and war become a reality for children enslaved. Most are brainwashed, beaten and abused. Most are brainwashed, beaten and abused. Rehabilitation is required. Rehabilitation is required.

Human Rights In 1948, the UN created Universal Declaration of Human Rights In 1948, the UN created Universal Declaration of Human Rights –Everyone should have these rights because they are human beings –Freedom of speech –Right to an education –Freedom to practice ones religion The pursuit of conflict diamonds have taken away many Human Rights from the civilians in these areas.

Would you pay more to buy a diamond that is conflict free? Would you pay more to buy a diamond that is conflict free? What does this visual communicate about sustainability? What does this visual communicate about sustainability?

Why is this a powerful image? Why is this a powerful image? What does it communicate about human rights? What does it communicate about human rights?