RAPAPORT… The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) called for members to avoid buying gemstones from government sources in Myanmar (also called Burma.)
The ICA issued a statement to the international trade saying that it “fully supports the UN Human Rights Council resolution ratified by the Security Council presidential statement of October 11th, 2007 and condemns the violent repression of individuals, human rights and pro-democracy movements in Myanmar.”
But ICA also warned on “hasty decisions” towards a systematic ban to trade with gemstones from Myanmar and strongly recommends that all parties cautiously consider the negative impact and collateral damage that indiscriminate measures could inflict upon independent and poor populations engaged in mining, processing, and trading activities in Myanmar and other countries.