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Blood Diamonds in Africa

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Blood Diamonds in Africa
Edwin Lopez
Ms. Korbelack
English 121
13 November 2012
“Blood” Diamonds in Africa
“In Sierra Leone, more than 10,000 people have suffered amputation because of the diamond trade, which has become a trademark atrocity for the rebels”. Unfortunately, Ibrahim Fofana, a diamond miner, shared a similar fate to the thousands that suffered brutal amputations from the Rebels. Ibrahim Fofana is like many of the miners who are forced to work long brutal hours in diamond mines. And according to UK Channel 5 "The True Story" Documentary Series, “In April 1998 the RUF attacked his village. Rebels confronted his neighbor demanding diamonds, when he said he had none he was shot and killed. A different fate awaited Ibrahim, they chopped his hands off.” Diamonds are known to contain such an essential significance in which we take part of in our everyday lives. From fashion statements to wedding rings, diamonds have been in the competitive trading business for years and the demand will continue to grow as long as our society greatly cherishes them. Diamonds are one of the most solicit natural resources available, but unfortunately, the origins of these diamonds are not as pleasant as the diamonds themselves. Unethical diamond businesses are adding fire to the already heated Africa, and it needs to stop. The high demands for diamonds outside of Africa are primarily the reason these different civil wars have been created, and should be thwarted. When there is a lack of enforcement, control, and basic human rights, action needs to be taken to prevent corrupt business trades and future bloodshed.
In times of a civil war being fueled by the “blood” diamonds, Africa is in desperate need of laws and enforcement. Enforcing laws and regulations will prevent a majority of murders and give more security to the people suffering from the rebel’s brutal attacks. According to the United Nations, “On 1 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, unanimously, a resolution



Cited: Ritchie, Joshua. "Connect With Us." MintLife Blog. Mint.com, 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.mint.com/blog/investing/the-history-of-the-diamond-trade/>. Stephen. "Blood Diamonds." , African Conflict. Names.co.uk, 14 Aug. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk/interesting-documentary/blood-diamonds.html>. United Nations "Conflict Diamonds." UN News Center. UN, 21 Mar. 2001. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html>. "Diamonds worth their weight in blood." USA Today [Magazine] Jan. 2007: 8+. Academic OneFile. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.howardcc.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA157655613&v=2.1&u=colu91149&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w>. "Coltan mining fuels Congo violence." New Internationalist Mar. 2011: 57. Academic OneFile. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.howardcc.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA253866943&v=2.1&u=colu91149&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w>. "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UDHR, Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights Declaration, Human Rights Charter, The Un and Human Rights."UN News Center. United Nations, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml>. United Nations, . "Human Rights, United Nations, International Laws UNIOSIL ." Human Rights, United Nations, International Laws UNIOSIL . n. page. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.uniosil.org/sierra-leone-diamonds.html>. The World Diamond Council, . n. page. Print. <http://www.diamondfacts.org/>.

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