PAC in the news
July 22, 2009 -
CBC’s “The Current”
The Kimberley Process
Listen to an interview with Ian Smillie about the Kimberley Process
July 9, 2009 - SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
Blood diamond team describes ‘horrific violence’ by army in Marange
A confidential memo by the head of a delegation of the Kimberley Process, which recently wrapped up an investigation into the reports of violence and killings in Marange, has detailed the ‘horrific violence’ used by the army against civilians there.
June 25, 2009 - The Independant, London
The return of blood diamonds
The leading architect of the international system to stop the trade in blood diamonds has warned that the safety net is close to collapse with governments and the industry failing to act against gross violations.
June 24, 2009 - Global Post
Many African diamonds still bloody
To halt the trade in "blood diamonds" — gems whose sales fuel deadly conflicts — the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003. But as signatory states meet in Namibia this week, one of the scheme’s architects said the Kimberley Process is not working.
June 22, 2009 - IRIN, Johannesburg
Credibility of Kimberley Process on the line, say NGOs
The credibility of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) - an initiative to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the multibillion dollar market - is being questioned by NGO activists ahead of a three day international meeting in Namibia on 23 June.
April 6, 2009
The Economist Intelligence Unit discusses the World Federation of Diamond Bourses call for a ban on trade in Zimbabwe’s diamonds and quotes PAC’s report on Zimbabwe.
April 2, 2009
Following various reports on the violation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in Zimbabwe, including PAC’s report on Zimbabwe, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses called on its members not to trade in diamonds from Marange, Zimbabwe.
March 14, 2009
The Zimbabwean on Sunday focuses on some allegations on PAC’s report on Zimbabwe.
February 21, 2008
"Suspect gems here: Man nabbed at airport with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, gold"
Edmonton Sun interviews PAC researcher Ian Smillie on one of the largest illegal diamond seizures in Alberta's history.
January 18, 2007
'Blood Diamond' keeps the 'bling-bling' industry on its toes
Summit Daily News interviews PAC researcher Ian Smillie on how the Kimberley Process regulations state a country cannot allow any diamonds to be exported to a country that is not a member of the Kimberley Process and similarly cannot accept any diamonds from a country that is not a member.
October 24, 2007
"Diamond warning over Congo trade"
BBC News article discusses PAC's study on how more foreign exchange earnings could come from the diamond trade annually if the mining sector was not dominated by exploitative practices and corruption.
October 23, 2007
"GGMC seizes 4000 carats diamons - may have been smuggled"
Stabroek News notes that according to a PAC report that as much as 20% of diamonds mined in Guyana are smuggled to Brazil, mixed with diamonds from Venezuela and laundered back through Guyana, evading the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (SPCS).
October 12, 2007
"NGOs ask for tougher measures on diamond mining, trading - Venezuela"
Business News Americas discusses how PAC and Global Witness, both intimately involved with the Kimberley Process (KPCS) are calling for a tougher stance on Venezuela on the issues of illegal diamond trading.
October 8, 2007
"Caracas 'allowing gem smuggling' "
FT.com notes PAC and Global Witness' call on the European Commission, currently chairing the Kimberley Process, to preserve the credibility of the scheme by taking action against Venezuela for "flagrant non-compliance".
September 23, 2007
"Unregulated diamond mining wreaks environmental havoc in Venezuela"
SFGate.com interviews PAC researcher Ian Smillie and notes PAC's recommendation that Venezuela be expulsed from the Kimberley Process for non-compliance.
August 27, 2007
'Curse' of Liberia's resources
BBC News comments on a PAC and Green Advocates report that looks at Liberia's history of plantation-style and mining-camp exploitation of tropical timber, rubber and minerals.
