The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has bolstered calls to expand the definition of conflict diamonds under the Kimberley Process (KP) to include all forms of systemic violence. 

WFDB President Ernie Blom expressed his opinions in a blog, which was sent out weeks after the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) Intersessional Meeting in Mumbai in June. India is current chair of the KP.

The KP initiative has come a long way since its inception in 2003, with more than 99.5 percent of diamonds produced globally now falling under a certification regime, according to the WFDB official. The challenge to widen the definition of conflict diamonds however remains unresolved. 

“In our opinion, there should be a rule in the current definition of conflict diamonds that includes any systemic violence,” noted Blom.

Earlier this year, World Diamond Council President Stephane Fischler proposed expanding the definition of conflict diamonds to cover all forms of systemic violence, including those carried out by state and private security forces, at a United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

Fischler called on the KP to achieve a consensus on the issue before the end of the year.

This, along with other pertinent issues, is expected to be tackled at the KP plenary meeting, which is scheduled for November 11 to 15 in New Delhi.