We Need Your Help
to stop the trade in conflict diamonds

Today, around the world, newly married couples are admiring their new diamond rings, but many diamonds bought today -- in places as seemingly innocent as the corner jewelry store -- are conflict diamonds that come from (and support) bloody conflicts in countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia (see http://www.amnesty.ca/realsecurity/conflictdiamonds.htm).

There must be independent monitoring that the diamonds sold in Canadian stores are not connected to human rights violations. Amnesty International, in connection with One Sky and Partnership Africa, is working to bring more jewlers on board to end the trade in conflict diamonds.

On Saturday, August 9th, Jewelers from across Canada will be gathering in Toronto for the national Jewelry Expo. Volunteers who care about human rights, came out and helped with public awareness and media events that were held across the city in High Park, the Annex, the Beaches, and other public places. It was a fun day -- everything from street theatre, to speakers, to signing onto a huge paper mache diamond, to handing out candy diamonds to get people thinking -- and it was a great way to get out in your community and stop the trade in terror.

If you couldn't make it out on the 9th, but wanted to help out nonetheless, there are many ways to get involved.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Karen Eaton at (416) 828-2284

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An Account of the Day
by Elizabeth Chiu

Blood diamonds are for never. On a sunny Saturday afternoon on August 9, 2003, this was the message more than 20 members of Amnesty International and One Sky took to the streets of Toronto. This day was part of a campaign calling for independent monitoring of the Kimberly Process to ban the trade of diamonds from conflict zones – which use their diamonds to fund war.

The Kimberly Process relies on truthful reports from participating countries that the trade of their diamonds is “clean” – but this is often not the case. Many conflict diamonds are being passed off as clean and currently, there is no method of guaranteeing that a diamond is not a blood diamond, even if they are mined in conflict-free countries.

A colourfully painted school bus driven around the city was also used help get the message across to the public. The bus was decorated by school children from Smithers, British Columbia and was loaded with much needed school supplies. It will eventually be sent to the Sengbeh Pieh School located in war-ravaged Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is currently one of the countries that have been devastatingly affected by the trade of blood diamonds.

The demonstrations were held in High Park, Bloor West Village, the Annex, Dundas Square, and (due to last minute changes from the Beaches location) Queen and John in front of CityTV. Wearing “Blood diamonds are for never” t-shirts and carrying a bright yellow banner, the school bus and African drummers were helpful in attracting a great deal of attention.

At each location, we were able engage the public and raise awareness about the current diamond industry, and we were extremely well received by the public. Most people seemed interested in learning more about the campaign. A petition was available for them to sign urging the Canadian jewelry industry to publicly support the call for regular, independent monitoring of the international trade in rough diamonds. There were also postcards and information sheets being handed out, and a large display providing information about conflict or “blood” diamonds.

As a way to initially gauge public interest, candy diamonds were given to show that these were the only guaranteed “conflict-free” diamonds. An information sheet stapled to each ring. Therefore, if passers-by only wanted the candy, they may read the attached information sheet later and become interested in learning more about how to support a conflict-free diamond industry.

At the end of the day, all of us were exhausted and hot from the heat, but we obtained well over 200 signatures on the petition which would be presented to the National jewelry Expo the day after. What had occurred at the Expo was even more amazing. Jewelers Vigilance Canada presented One Sky with a letter in support of monitoring and on-going dialogue. The dramatic change in attitude from the Canadian industry brings new hope to this complex problem.

Although the media did not show up – even from our failed attempt to be filmed by CityTV – the campaign in Toronto was a great success. We increased public awareness and we were able to speak to members of the diamond industry directly.

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