Why we are leaving the Kimberley Process

Global Witness has withdrawn from the Kimberley Process (KP), stating that the international certification scheme has become an 'outdated' and 'cynical corporate accreditation scheme'. While the KP initially helped break links between diamonds and conflict, the organization argues it now lacks integrity due to a failure to hold governments accountable and a lack of independent verification in the diamond industry's 'system of warranties'. Specific failures cited include the KP's inability to address conflict diamonds from Côte d'Ivoire, rule breaches by Venezuela, and state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe's Marange region. Global Witness advocates for a transition from voluntary schemes to legally mandated international standards for minerals supply chain controls, including third-party audits and public disclosure.

• The Kimberley Process (KP) is described as having lost its integrity and becoming an outdated mechanism that functions as a corporate accreditation scheme rather than a conflict prevention tool.
• The KP has failed to effectively manage the trade of conflict diamonds in specific countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, the latter of which saw the endorsement of unlimited exports from companies in the Marange region despite mass killings by the national army.
• The diamond industry's 'system of warranties' is criticized for lacking independent verification, leaving consumers unable to confirm if diamonds finance abusive regimes or armed violence.
• Global Witness concludes that voluntary schemes are insufficient for controlling mineral resources in a multi-polar world and calls for governments to codify international supply chain standards into law, including public disclosure and third-party audits.

APA

Gooch, C. (n.d.). Why we are leaving the Kimberley Process. Global Witness. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/why-we-are-leaving-the-kimberley-process/

Chicago

Gooch, Charmian. Why we are leaving the Kimberley Process. Global Witness, n.d. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/why-we-are-leaving-the-kimberley-process/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Gooch |first1=Charmian |title=Why we are leaving the Kimberley Process |publisher=Global Witness |url=https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/why-we-are-leaving-the-kimberley-process/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{goochndwhy, author = {Gooch, Charmian}, title = {{Why we are leaving the Kimberley Process}}, publisher = {Global Witness}, url = {https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/why-we-are-leaving-the-kimberley-process/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }