>> Diamond industry tarnished by criminals

By Jeff Miller Posted: 02/23/07 14:20 on RAPAPORT... 

According to the NGOs -- actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, and Djimon Hounsou plan to wear the pin at the Oscars on February 25, 2007, in Los Angeles.

The NGOs reported in a statement that as the public's attention is focused upon the Academy Awards and celebrations the director and cast of Blood Diamond as well as other artist supporters of human rights would be signifying their "commitment to action" by wearing a gem-free, tear-shaped pin, designed by Alessandra Gallo Jewellery and hand-made by Ricardo Basta of Beverly Hills.

Bonnie Abaunza, director of Amnesty International USA's Artists for Amnesty, said, "Ours is a very modest gesture, but one that affirms the message that all human life is precious."

"Diamonds are not priceless -- human life is," said Abaunza.

The pin would send the message to millions of viewers that the story depicted in Blood Diamond, while fictional, is based upon a devastating reality in terms of the deaths and human rights abuses tied to conflict diamonds the NGOs predicted.

When the lights go down on the 79th Academy Awards, the pins will be auctioned and proceeds will fund rehabilitation of child soldiers through the work of Amnesty International and partner organizations. Funding will also benefit Global Witness's work on conflict diamonds.

"Americans buy half of the diamond jewelry sold worldwide -- $33 billion a year," said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "We feel that this industry has an obligation -- and consumers should demand -- that the diamonds that are bought and sold are conflict free, given the devastating human toll blood diamonds extract."

Amnesty International USA and Global Witness partnered in supporting Warner Bros.' Blood Diamond to raise awareness about human rights issues. "Hundreds of thousands of children are fighting as child soldiers in conflicts around the world today, some of which are funded by conflict diamonds," the NGOs reported.

"Once they are disarmed and demobilized, their rehabilitation and reintegration into society becomes their only opportunity at a second chance at life," said Abaunza.

related: World Jewellery Confederation “THE RETAILERS GUIDE TO DIAMOND JEWELLERY” LAUNCHED