Sourcing

KP Civil Society Coalition Standing by Boycott

SourcingOct 25, 2016

KP Civil Society Coalition Standing by Boycott

The Kimberley Process’ Civil Society Coalition will not be attending the upcoming plenary meeting, despite the United Arab Emirates’ recent overtures and media reports to the contrary.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--The Kimberley Process’ Civil Society Coalition will not be attending the upcoming plenary meeting, despite the United Arab Emirates’ recent overtures and media reports to the contrary.

The KP’s Civil Society Coalition, which is made up of 11 organizations, announced in November 2015 that it wouldn’t be attending any KP meetings held in Dubai this year to underscore its objections to the UAE’s election as chair, effectively boycotting the process for 2016.

Chief among the coalition’s concerns about a UAE chairmanship were the number of companies there that allegedly engage in transfer pricing. Transfer pricing is the practice of undervaluing a resource, such as diamonds from Africa, in order to increase profitability and decrease tax liability.

It is a practice, the CSC has said, that robs local governments of the true value of their resources.

On Oct. 13, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who represents the UAE in the KP, sent a letter and a 31-page proposal inviting the coalition to attend the plenary and outlining what the UAE has done over the past nine months to allay the coalition’s concerns.

In regards to transfer pricing specifically, the letter states that the UAE has initiated a series of workshops on developing a system for rough diamond valuation that could be applied in all diamond-importing centers.

Addressing another one of the coalition’s concerns--that the UAE is too lax in letting diamonds from conflict-ridden areas of the world, like the Central African Republic, cross its borders--the letter pointed out that four areas of the Central African Republic have been deemed KP compliant and allowed to resume rough diamond exports since it took over as KP chair.

The letter also noted that the issues of establishing a permanent secretariat for the KP under the mandate of the United Nations and lab-grown diamonds would be discussed at the plenary.

Despite the UAE’s invitation, the coalition said it is sticking by its boycott, with the latest media kerfuffle certainly not helping to change its collective mind.

On Sunday, an article appeared in The National, a government-owned English-language newspaper published in the UAE, stating that the National Support Centre for Development and Popular Participation, which is better known by its French acronym, CENADEP, had become the first member of the coalition to “break ranks” with the boycott and opt to attend the plenary.

The article quoted CENADEP’s Albert Kabuya Muyeba as saying that the organization, “accepts the invitation of the KP

chair (to) the plenary in November 2016 and believes that the best way to lend credibility to the KP is by re-enlisting within the KP family to address different challenges inside, and not outside.”

On Monday, CENADEP Executive Director Danny Singoma issued a clarification on the article, which it said it was “stunned to discover.”

“While some progress has been made under the United Arab Emirates’ chairmanship, CENADEP still stands with the Civil Society Coalition and supports the boycott launched in November 2015.

“If one of our CENADEP officers has indeed responded to a letter sent by the chairman of the Kimberley Process and confirmed that they would attend the plenary session in Dubai, they have done so on personal terms. Their response does not commit our organization in any way.”

When asked about Singoma’s letter, a spokesperson for the KP chair said, “This is a matter for the parties involved.”

The spokesperson added that the UAE remains committed to improving the working conditions and the social environment related to the diamond industry, and that the invitation for the coalition to attend the plenary stands.

This is not the first time the United Arab Emirates has been tied to an inaccurate report that has appeared in The National.

Back in March, before the KP had green-lit any exports from the Central African Republic, The National published a story stating that diamond exports from all of the Central African Republic would resume soon.

JCK’s Rob Bates pointed out the inaccuracy of the article--which, like the recent article on CENADEP, was widely re-reported without verification--in a post on his Cutting Remarks blog.

The KP plenary is scheduled to take place in Dubai from Sunday, Nov. 13 to Thursday, Nov. 17.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Bicolor pink and colorless diamond
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink Diamond

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Pomellato Rodeo Drive Flagship Exterior
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive Flagship

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

Grown Brilliance NYC Flagship Exterior
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First Flagship

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

BTYB10.25_Header.jpg
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know Now

As the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.

Douriean Fletcher Messenger Collection
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Sothebys the glowing rose pink diamond
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink Diamond

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.

Empress Eugénie’s pearl and diamond tiara
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre

It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Charles London, Mayer and Fran Udell, Mark and Candy Udell
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The Edit – A Gallery of Italian Jewelry Masterpieces Graphic
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYC

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Judi Powers Jewelry Stella Earrings
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ Earrings

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

Jeffrey Zimmer Reeds Jewelers
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

Sothebys salon new bond street
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry Service

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

Oscar Heyman 2025 Holiday Catalog Cover
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s Spectacular

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ Collection

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Kathy Corey
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy Corey

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado Jeweler

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

Logo for Timepieces at Luxury
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next Year

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

Max Fawcett Claibourne Poindexter
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department Leadership

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Alisa Bunger Frederick Goldman
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of Sales

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy