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On Valentine’s Day, groups call for an end to diamond bloodshed
Christian humanitarian organization World Vision joins call for end to gem trade fueling conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo
SEATTLE – World Vision and other humanitarian organizations are speaking out on Valentine’s Day to end the conflict diamond trade. Sale of diamonds have funded brutal civil wars in Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire), Sierra Leone and elsewhere.
Last summer the diamond industry promised to set up an international certification system designed to cut off the flow of “dirty”diamonds. The coalition of humanitarian and human rights groups, which includes World Vision, Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, and Oxfam, calls for Congress to pass the bipartisan “Clean Diamonds Act.” The diamond industry has proposed alternative legislation, but this bill contains unacceptable loopholes.
World Vision is partnering with Northwest Medical Teams to supply surgical teams that will bring healing to some of the people affected by the turmoil. A six-person team of medical volunteers leaves Seattle Wednesday, February 14, for Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo where World Vision has operations, but asked for help with medical teams. Many of the patients they will treat would become amputees without this care.
WHO: Scott Jackson, Senior Vice President of World Vision, the Federal
Way-based organization which works in several African trouble spots where diamonds are fueling war.
WHAT: Jackson will explain the link between diamonds and conflicts in Africa.
WHERE: In front of Tiffany & Co., Pacific Place, 600 Pine Street, Seattle
WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 14
CONTACTS: mediainfo@worldvision.org
Note: B-Roll Video of the injured patients in the Goma region is available from World Vision.
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