The Limitations
of the Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process was established to combat the trade of conflict diamonds; however, it has significant shortcomings that have prompted us to seek a better alternative. Its limited focus only addresses conflict diamonds while neglecting other critical ethical issues, such as human rights abuses, environmental degradation, worker exploitation, child labor, and fair pay.
The KP certification applies only to batches of rough diamonds, not individual stones, which makes it nearly impossible to trace their origins once they are cut and distributed. This lack of traceability raises serious concerns about the integrity of diamonds on the market. Additionally, the KP has been plagued by documentation fraud, with multiple cases reported, indicating systemic vulnerabilities.
Smuggling through unregulated channels remains a significant issue, allowing diamonds from conflict zones to enter the market unchecked. Furthermore, the KP suffers from weak enforcement mechanisms and insufficient funding, undermining the validity of export statistics and the overall effectiveness of the initiative.
