(Rapaport…November 20, 2002) Global Witness, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), is demanding that the European Commission (EC) compel any European citizen living outside its jurisdiction to abide by the Kimberley Process.
According to Global Witness, some nations only want the EC to pass legislation enforcing the rough diamond certification plan — agreed to by 52 governments worldwide — on its own territory. Using that system would allow, for example, a Belgian diamantaire to buy conflict diamonds in Madagascar.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the World Diamond Council (WDC) say they will expel any member who trades in conflict diamonds. But Global Witness wants the force of law behind Kimberley to apply everywhere.
“A strong message must be sent out to conflict and illicit diamond traders that their ways of doing business are over and that their illegal business practices in non-EC member countries will not be tolerated,” Global Witness activist Corinna Gilfillan said.