Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
Liberia Diamond Ban Lifted: Vigilance Needed to Ensure Diamonds Promote Development
Press Release – 30/04/2007
Global
Witness and Partnership Africa Canada
- Press Release - 30 April 2007
Liberia Diamond Ban Lifted: Vigilance Needed to Ensure Diamonds Promote Development
The United Nations Security Council voted on Friday to end the embargo on Liberian diamonds following progress made by the Liberian government in establishing a system to combat the trade in conflict diamonds.
"The Government of Liberia has made good progress in establishing a system of controls to prevent diamonds from fuelling conflict," said Global Witness. "This is a welcome step, but effective implementation and enforcement of the Kimberley Process, including accurate reporting and monitoring of trade and production statistics, will be crucial to ensuring that diamonds never again fuel wars. The government of Liberia must work to ensure that its system of controls is rigorously enforced and that it takes full control of all diamond mining areas."
The resolution encourages the Kimberley Process to report to the Security Council within 90 days on whether Liberia is in compliance with the certification scheme. Based on this report and one from the UN Panel of Experts, the Security Council has committed to review its decision to lift the diamond embargo. The Council has also called on the Liberian government to implement the recommendations of the Kimberley Process expert mission.
Partnership Africa Canada said, "The UN Security Council and the Kimberley Process must rigorously monitor Liberia's system of controls to ensure it is effectively enforced. Cooperation with other diamond producing countries of the region will be essential to the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process."
Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada are calling for continued assistance, support and vigilance from the Kimberley Process, the Security Council and the international community to help the Liberian government achieve these important conflict prevention goals and to make diamonds a positive force for development.
Conflict diamonds have fuelled devastating conflicts in Liberia and other African countries that have resulted in the death and displacement of millions of people.
----
For further information, please contact:
Global Witness
Annie Dunnebacke in London:
Tel: +44 207 561 6397,
Mobile: +44 7703 108 401
Partnership Africa Canada
Dorothée Gizenga Ngolo in Ottawa:
Tel: +1 613-237-6768 ext. 4
Latest Publications
June 2009
Governments urged to renew commitments as diamond meeting closes
Some progress at Kimberley Process diamond meeting but governments must do more to ensure scheme's effectiveness
Blood Diamonds - Time to Plug the Gaps
The landmark Kimberley Process is in danger of losing its credibility, civil society groups warn today, ahead of a key meeting of the scheme established to stop the trade in blood diamonds.
Verdict on UN Climate Change Talks in Bonn
Global Witness campaigner, Davyth Stewart, reflects on tough week of negotiations in Bonn, which yielded mixed results
Briefing note on imminent oil supply crunch
Global Witness is calling for governments to officially and publicly declare that there is an imminent
oil supply crunch and to take urgent measures to develop safe and sustainable alternative energy
systems
ECA Press Conference at Bonn
Going backwards or forwards on Forests and Climate? Environment groups under the bannner of the Ecosystems Climate Alliance hold joint press conference in Bonn as UN Climate Change meeting draws to a close
Global Groups Call for End to Deforestation in Bonn
Global coalition calls on negotiators to deliver a strong climate deal, warning that they will put all of our survival at risk if they do not act immediately to halt deforestation and the industrial logging of the world's primary forests
Global Witness hails commitment of veteran diamond campaigner
Global Witness today paid tribute to the efforts and commitment of Ian Smillie, a founding member of the Kimberley Process, who has decided to end his participation in the rough diamond certification scheme.
Vested interests - Industrial logging and carbon in tropical forests
Industrial logging is a major source of carbon emissions, a primary driver of deforestation and threatens to derail the UN process to reduce deforestation warns Global Witness in a new report.
