Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt endorse ban on Zimbabwean blood diamonds

[Honey]

In 2006, the Marange diamond fields were discovered in Zimbabwe. When Zimbabweans heard that there was a new mine, many rushed out to see if they could find diamonds close to surface of the mine walls. Unfortunately for them, 2006 was also one of the worst years in Zimbabwe’s fragile political system. Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president and brutal despot, was years into his reign of political, financial, military and humanitarian reign of terror. Mugabe cracked down on the illegal miners, and ordered the military to guard the mine, which is rumored to have more than $200 million worth of diamonds, just waiting to be mined. Military control over the mine has been bloody - Human Rights Watch claim that more than 200 people have been killed in or around the mine. HRW also compiled a report called “Diamonds in the Rough” which describes (through witness interviews) the human rights abuses occurring by the military to those who work in or around the mine.
Most likely in the hopes of bringing more attention, more headline, and more financial support to this issue in particular and human rights abuses in general, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are issuing a statement through their foundation and through HRW. According to HRW’s executive director, “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have issued a call for a ban on any sale or purchase of Marange diamonds … until … the mining is not based on the violent abuse of residents in that region.” Here’s more:

Human Rights Watch said Friday that Zimbabwe’s armed forces have taken over diamond fields in the east and killed more than 200 people, forcing children to search for the precious gems and beating villagers who get in the way.
The New York-based organization said its call for a ban on diamonds from the region had received an endorsement from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. A statement from the couple’s foundation was expected later Friday.
“Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have issued a call for a ban on any sale or purchase of Marange diamonds … until … the mining is not based on the violent abuse of residents in that region,” said Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch’s executive director.
Zimbabwe’s deputy mining minister, Murisi Zwizwai, has denied the allegations and said the presence of the military is to secure the area.
More than 100 witnesses, miners, police officers, soldiers and children were interviewed for the report entitled “Diamonds in the Rough,” which details allegations of human rights abuses by Zimbabwean armed forces in an attempt to control access to the precious gems.
The human rights group said searchers had gathered evidence of mass graves and accounts of an incident last year when military helicopters fired at miners, while armed soldiers on the ground chased villagers from the area.
“There are hundreds of victims of human rights abuses that are unwilling to come forward for fear of the military,” Zimbabwe researcher Dewa Mavhinga said.
The report also alleges that some of the income from the diamond fields is going to officials of President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party, long accused of trampling on human rights and democracy in the southern African country.
The international human rights watchdog is calling on Zimbabwe’s coalition government, formed in February, to stop the abuses and prosecute those responsible. It is also calling on the international body that governs the global diamond industry to press Zimbabwe, a participant, to end the illegal trade in Marange diamonds.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, established in 2002, aims to stem the flow of “blood diamonds” being used to fund fighting across Africa. Participants are forced to certify the origins of the diamonds being traded. This assures consumers that by purchasing diamonds they are not financing war and human rights abuses.
Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said the group is calling for the definition of blood diamonds to be broadened to include gems mined through “repression and violent abuses” by governments.

[From The Associated Press]
Obviously, these abuses are wrong and they should be stopped. But I tend to think speaking out about only the human rights abuses in this one mine is tragically narrow-minded. Zimbabwe is totally and completely f-cked, and it’s going to take a lot more than a blood diamond ban to improve the quality of Zimbabweans’ lives. However, I do understand that HRW is trying to move the human rights-goalpost forward by choosing this issue, and they’re right. The definition of “blood diamonds” should be broadened.
As for why in the world Angelina and Brad are going to issue a statement - well, every major media outlet is covering this story as “Angelina and Brad want blood diamond ban”. How many of them would have carried this story if it was just HRW calling for a ban?

Cele|bitchy » Blog Archive » Angelina & Brad endorse ban on Zimbabwean blood diamonds

[Jaguar]

I thought blood diamonds was a big enough issue to warrant a movie called....Blood Diamond! With Leonardo DiCaprio even! But Brangelina, feel free to get in on the action. Better late than never.

[Sasha]

"Blood Diamonds" involve more than one mine. Nearly the whole diamond mining business in Africa is brutal and bordering on slavery, and it's not just about "fincancing war and human rights abuses" it's about obscene profits and some well known diamond merchants benefit.

[NicoleWasHere]

Angelina's head looks bigger than usual.

[sprynkles]

I think those are their wax figures in the picture.

[Novice]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

I thought blood diamonds was a big enough issue to warrant a movie called....Blood Diamond! With Leonardo DiCaprio even! But Brangelina, feel free to get in on the action. Better late than never.

and isn't Amnesty International all over Zimbabwe due to their human rights abuses? Along with the EU & lots of other international organisations.... didn't they have an epedemic (of typhoid was it?) last year? Eariler this year that continued to raise issues?


On a side note - I met Mugabe once... (when he was still sane)... but his bodyguard! F*** Me! Scary!

[GaPeach]

Originally Posted by Sasha

"Blood Diamonds" involve more than one mine. Nearly the whole diamond mining business in Africa is brutal and bordering on slavery, and it's not just about "fincancing war and human rights abuses" it's about obscene profits and some well known diamond merchants benefit.

I gave up diamonds after the Sierra Leone' reports. I had no idea it was going on in Aimbabwe too. How sad.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

I thought blood diamonds was a big enough issue to warrant a movie called....Blood Diamond! With Leonardo DiCaprio even! But Brangelina, feel free to get in on the action. Better late than never.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Plus, it's going to take more than a few celebrities being against the blood/conflict diamonds to make a difference. As long as the diamond merchants and the consumers don't care enough to make an issue of it then nothing will change.

[mamaste]

Originally Posted by Sasha

"Blood Diamonds" involve more than one mine. Nearly the whole diamond mining business in Africa is brutal and bordering on slavery, and it's not just about "fincancing war and human rights abuses" it's about obscene profits and some well known diamond merchants benefit.

Absolutely. Where's that ban on DeBeers?

[celeb_2006]

Well until society dictates that the "tradition" of lavish engagement rings is outdated, a few celebrities here and there won't make one iota of a difference.

What do they go for nowadays, over 10 grand for a ring? Fawking ridiculous, as is the concept of twenty thousand dollar plus for the wedding.

[CornFlakegrl]

Would they just shut up already.