(IDEX Online) - Artisanal miners describe the mistreatment, injustices, threats, violence and even shootings they endure at the hands of big diamond companies in a hard-hitting video released by the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC).
Villagers in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone testify on camera that conflict diamonds are not a thing of the past.
The video, entitled "Conflict diamonds are real, real talk is rare" highlights the plight of communities living in diamond mining areas.
And a series of virtual events, starting on 16 March, will bring them face to face with members of the jewelry industry. They are being organized by the the KPCSC, which represents communities affected by diamond mining and trade.
"Communities living in diamond mining areas know little about how diamonds, which so greatly impact their lives, are marketed and consumed," says the KPCSC.
"Equally, those who sell the diamonds know too little about where their diamonds come from or under what circumstances they were mined.
"An important first step is to close this information gap and create meaningful relationships between the communities at the birthplace of these diamonds and those who sell them."
Pic from the KPCSC video