Bahrain's Diamonds: Blood-Stained Or Ethical?

Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. They are often mined using forced labour, including children, and traded illegally to fund violent conflicts and human rights abuses. The term came into widespread use in the 1990s, when brutal civil wars were being waged in parts of western and central Africa by rebel groups based in diamond-rich areas. The profits from these blood diamonds are often used to finance conflict and lead to human rights abuses and environmental destruction.

The diamond trade in Bahrain has been a cause for concern, with questions being raised about the country's role in the trade of conflict diamonds. While it is not clear whether all of Bahrain's diamonds are sourced ethically, there have been reports suggesting that the country may have been involved in the trade of blood diamonds. Given the serious implications of the blood diamond trade, it is important to examine the sources and supply chains of diamonds originating from Bahrain to ensure that they are not contributing to conflict, human rights abuses, or environmental destruction.

Are Bahrain's diamonds conflict-free?

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, an invading army's war efforts, terrorism, or a warlord's activity. They are often mined using forced labour and are frequently smuggled by organised crime syndicates to be sold on the black market.

The Kimberley Process, established by the diamond industry in 2003, is an international certification system designed to ensure that diamonds are conflict-free. However, this process has been criticised for not going far enough, as unfair labour practices and human rights abuses are not considered disqualifying factors.

Diamonds from Bahrain are tested and certified by international laboratories and are therefore unlikely to be conflict diamonds. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, a popular jewellery store in Bahrain, sources its diamonds from South African and Indian mines, which are generally considered more sustainable. The company also claims to follow fair labour practices and offers lifetime maintenance for its diamond jewellery.

However, it is worth noting that even with the Kimberley Process in place, it is challenging to trace the origin of a diamond once it has been cut. Additionally, the process has loopholes that allow diamonds mined in war zones or under egregious circumstances to enter the international market.

While it is unlikely that diamonds from Bahrain are conflict diamonds, it is challenging to be certain due to the limitations of the current certification systems and the complex nature of the diamond industry.

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international, multi-stakeholder trade regime established in 2003 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, also known as 'blood diamonds'. Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. The process was created to increase transparency and oversight in the diamond supply chain.

The Kimberley Process unites governments, civil societies, and the diamond industry to disrupt the trade of conflict diamonds. It defines conflict diamonds as:

> 'Rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments'

The core of the Kimberley Process is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Under the KPCS, participating states must meet 'minimum requirements', establish national legislation and institutions, and implement export and import controls. States must also commit to transparent practices and the exchange of critical statistical data.

The KP unites 59 participants representing 85 countries, including the United States and the European Union. Participants actively prevent 99.8% of the worldwide trade in conflict diamonds.

The KPCS outlines the rules that govern the trade in rough diamonds and has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet. Rough diamonds must be shipped in tamper-proof containers and exported with a Kimberley Process Certificate, which certifies that the diamonds have not benefited rebel movements.

The Kimberley Process is not an international organisation in the traditional sense, as it has no permanent offices or staff. It relies on the contributions of participants, supported by industry and civil society observers. It is open to all countries that are willing and able to implement its requirements.

How do alluvial deposits affect the trade of blood diamonds?

Alluvial deposits are formed when minerals are eroded from their source and transported by water to a new locale. In the context of blood diamonds, alluvial deposits of diamonds are formed when diamonds are eroded from their source and transported by water to a new location, often a stream bed. These alluvial diamonds are particularly susceptible to being exploited by rebels and used to fund conflicts.

Alluvial diamond mining is a simple process that involves digging and sifting through materials such as mud, sand, or gravel using shovels, sieves, or even bare hands. This makes alluvial diamond mining easily accessible to rebels and other non-state actors. The simplicity of alluvial diamond mining also means that it can be done cheaply and without the need for advanced equipment. This is in contrast to deep mining for gold, kimberlite diamonds, or other minerals, which requires the operation and maintenance of a capital-intensive facility.

The ease of access and low cost of alluvial diamond mining have made it a common practice in Africa, where an estimated 10% of the world's rough diamonds are sourced through industrial alluvial mining, and another 14% are uncovered using small-scale alluvial mining techniques. Alluvial diamond mining is particularly prevalent in countries such as Namibia and South Africa, where diamonds are found in ocean shores, river beds, and stream beds.

The presence of alluvial diamonds in conflict zones has fueled conflicts in ways that deep mining of diamonds has not. The ease of access and low cost of alluvial diamond mining make it easier for rebels and other non-state actors to exploit these resources and use them to fund their activities. This is demonstrated by the case of Sierra Leone, where the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) occupied diamond mines to access funding and continue their insurgency.

Overall, alluvial deposits affect the trade of blood diamonds by making diamonds more accessible to rebels and other non-state actors, thereby increasing the likelihood that diamonds will be used to fund conflicts. The simplicity and low cost of alluvial diamond mining also make it more difficult to regulate and control the diamond trade in conflict zones.

What is the role of De Beers in the diamond trade?

De Beers is a South African-British corporation that has been a dominant player in the diamond industry for over a century. From its inception in 1888 until the start of the 21st century, De Beers controlled 80-85% of the world's rough diamond distribution and was considered a monopoly. The company was founded by British businessman Cecil Rhodes, who was financed by the South African diamond magnate Alfred Beit and the London-based N M Rothschild & Sons bank.

De Beers has influenced the diamond market in several ways. Firstly, they attempted to monitor global demand and control prices by reducing production during periods of lower demand, thereby artificially increasing prices. Secondly, they are responsible for the emotional value and status associated with diamonds today. They introduced the idea of diamond engagement rings priced at two months' wages and coined the famous slogan "Diamonds are a girl's best friend".

De Beers is involved in various aspects of the diamond industry, including mining, the sale of rough and cut diamonds, and investment in synthetic diamonds. They operate in 35 countries, with mining activities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada. The company has an artisanal mining business, Gemfair, in Sierra Leone.

In response to competition and negative publicity surrounding blood diamonds, De Beers changed its business model in 2000. They began limiting sales to their own mined products and moved away from rough diamond supplying and controlling the industry. Despite this, De Beers remains an influential player in the diamond trade, with a significant market share.

How does the diamond trade affect the people of Sierra Leone?

The diamond trade has had a significant impact on the people of Sierra Leone, both positive and negative. On the one hand, diamonds have been a source of wealth and employment for many in the country, but on the other hand, they have also fuelled conflict, corruption, and human rights abuses.

Sierra Leone's diamond-rich Kono district has attracted hundreds of thousands of migrant workers, mostly young, single, uneducated, and unemployed men seeking their fortunes. The artisanal diamond mining sector is now the country's second-largest employer after agriculture. However, the work is gruelling and dangerous, with hundreds of miners dying each year in tunnel collapses. The informal and unregulated nature of the artisanal mining sector also leaves diamond diggers vulnerable to exploitative relationships with buyers and middlemen, trapping them in cycles of poverty and indebtedness.

Diamonds played a significant role in funding Sierra Leone's brutal civil war in the 1990s. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) occupied diamond mines to gain access to funding and continued their insurgency. The illicit diamond trade also contributed to widespread government corruption and poor governance, with international traders reaping vast rewards while local communities missed out on economic benefits. As a result, Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest nations in the world, ranking low on the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index.

Efforts have been made to address the issues in the diamond industry, such as the Kimberley Process, which aims to certify conflict-free diamonds. However, these initiatives have faced challenges due to the complex nature of the diamond supply chain and the lack of incentive from major diamond companies to address the problem.

Frequently asked questions