Conflict diamonds are forever in southern Africa: the case for a human rights-based approach to the Kimberley process

Abstract

The Kimberley process (KP) came into force in 2003 with the goal of regulating and ending the trade in conflict diamonds. The KP focuses primarily on breaking the nexus between rebel movements and the diamond trade, but not necessarily on the broader human rights challenges that are still faced by most diamond producing communities, including those in southern Africa. In this article, I examine why a human rights mandate is necessary for the KP as part of its governance strategy for the diamond trade. I will present some forward-looking thoughts, by way of outlining what a possible human rights-based approach to the KP would mean and what it would take the KP to bring on board the human rights aspects of the trade in diamonds. For this purpose, I will identify and analyse a set of criteria that can help introduce the KP’s human rights credentials and its fight for a conflict-free diamond trade.