Rapaport Press Release: Rapaport Begins 3 Day Fast to Protest

World Diamond Council Support of Kimberley Process

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Martin Rapaport will be fasting for three days, November 7-9, to protest World Diamond Council support for the Kimberley Process which is certifying as legitimate blood diamonds and Russian diamonds subject to US sanctions.

Rapaport’s fast coincides with the Annual Plenary of the Kimberley Process (KP) taking place from November 6-10 at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a country rife with human rights abuses whose diamond suppliers are subject to US sanctions. Despite its history of human rights abuses related to its diamond sector, Zimbabwe is the current head of the Kimberley Process.

The World Diamond Council which claims to represent the entire diamond industry plays an active role supporting the KP, even as the KP certifies Russian diamonds and diamonds involved in severe human rights abuses. The World Diamond Council is also closely associated and shares directors with the Responsible Jewelry Council, whose members include major jewelry brands.

“We are witnessing the greatest diamond whitewashing operation in history,” said Rapaport. "The World Diamond Council supports the Kimberley Process certification scheme, approving the trade in Russian diamonds and other diamonds associated with human rights abuses. What is going on is unconscionable. The WDC has no red lines.”

“WDC representatives are feasting in Zimbabwe with government officials as many Zimbabweans starve due to government corruption,” said Rapaport. “While these diamond representatives feast, I will be fasting in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and in protest against WDC support of the Kimberley Process.”

Members of the diamond industry are encouraged to join Rapaport by skipping a meal or fasting for one day during the Kimberley Process meetings. Those doing so are encouraged to email [e-mail].

About the Rapaport Group: The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing added-value services that support the development of ethical, transparent, competitive, and efficient diamond and jewelry markets. Established in 1976, the group has more than 20,000 clients in over 121 countries. Group activities include Rapaport Information Services, providing the Rapaport benchmark Diamond Price List, as well as research, analysis and news; RapNet, the world’s largest diamond trading network, with daily listings of over 1.7 million diamonds valued at more than $9 billion; and Rapaport Trading and Auction Services, the world’s largest recycler of diamonds. Additional information is available at rapaport.com.