CIBJO backs call to discuss widening definition of conflict diamonds
VICENZA, Italy, May 21, 2012 – CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has unanimously backed a call from the World Diamond Council to start discussions on widening the definition of ”conflict diamonds” within the framework of the Kimberley Process.
“The General Assembly approved a resolution supporting the call last week by the World Diamond Council to begin discussions about widening the definition of conflict diamonds in the statutes of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme,” CIBJO said in a statement after meetings of international diamond industry leaders in Vicenza.
The resolution passed by the supreme decision-making body of the World Jewellery Confederation read as follows: “The General Assembly of CIBJO adds its support to the World Diamond Council, which at its recent Plenary Session in Vicenza expressed its desire to conduct discussions to widen the ‘conflict diamonds’ definition in the Core Documents of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) on the following basis: ‘diamond-related violence in rough diamond producing and trading areas.’ Like the World Diamond Council, the General Assembly of CIBJO considers the proposal suggested in Vicenza by the Kimberley Process Chair as a good basis for moving the discussion forward.”
“There should be no misunderstanding whatsoever about our commitment to ensure that the products we deal in should not be associated with violence and human rights violations anywhere in the world,” said CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri.
“In its decision last week the World Diamond Council took a brave decision to support updating the ‘conflict diamonds’ definition so that it meets the conditions that exist 10 years after the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was launched. We are proud to add our voice to the WDC’s call.”
The 2012 CIBJO Congress took place between May 17 and 20, and was hosted by the Vicenza Fair, Italy’s leading jewellery trade show company, in the framework of the World Jewellery Forum.
