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Introduction: For decades, diamonds have been the symbol of love, hope and the bond between human beings. Those in First World Nations, where more than 75% of all diamonds are sold, know little of the extent to which human beings in Third World countries, particularly those in Western Africa and regions of India, suffer because of the demand for these precious gems. The exploration, mining and distribution efforts involved in the diamond industry are blamed by some organizations for bloody armed conflict, terrible deprivation, and corruption that is out of control. In contrast, there are other important and influential groups who promote a responsible diamond industry as the answer to the social and economic problems of developing countries. The debate and controversy between these very different opinion continues to rage on. All the time, new sources of diamonds, like Canada, continue to be explored. Solutions, however promising, have not yet resolved this ongoing and complicated global issue. The Historical Misery of the Diamond Industry: The diamond has been the subject of much controversy since it was first mined in the mid 1800’s. The largest diamond mining company, De Beer’s, was founded in 1866, and is still considered a leading force in the world marketplace. Early in the 1900’s mining began in Africa and the often tragic legacy of the diamond industry on that continent began. Several countries, in particular, were found to be wonderful sources of diamonds. These included those countries today known as Botswana, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Diamond mining has continued in all these countries, usually with the participation of the government of the time, but often without the usual profits and benefits normally given back to a “host” country. For example, in 1935, De Beer’s entered into an agreement with the government of Sierra Leone which gave them complete prospecting and mining rights for 99 years. However, the colonial government of Great Britain at the time did not adequately police or supervise the diamond industry. In 1961, when the country gained independence, no stable government took power. Without a stable government and without adequate policing systems, the country was over-run by illicit miners and the sale of illicit diamonds became a way for the wealthy to maintain political power. India has been used by the diamond polishing and cutting industry for many decades because of the accessibility of cheap labour and the country’s favourable tariff policies. Human rights violations, including the use of child labour, have been well documented by this industry and until very recently, even reputable diamond businesses were still in violation of basic human rights standards. Child labour was common for children’s eyes were considered superior to those of adults, and so they were employed to cut the very small diamonds. Since the mid 1990’s, De Beers India and other companies employing people in the trade, have begun using high tech machines to take the place of children. Nevertheless, the human rights violations in the diamond cutting and polishing industry in India continue to be well documented.
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