Charles Taylor on Trial

"...Taylor is said to have financed and supported Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) with material and personnel, providing weapons, ammunition and training. With the aim of destabilizing the country and accessing the natural resources of Sierra Leone (mainly diamonds), he allegedly supported the RUF in the preparation of military actions and during the ensuing conflict..."

"...According to the indictment, the attacks were accompanied by murders, physical violence (especially mutilations and rape) against civilian men, women and children, pillaging and abductions of civilians (in particular many children) as sexual slaves, forced laborers or forced recruits. These acts were allegedly encouraged or executed with the consent or on order of Charles Taylor..."

Israeli Blood Diamonds exempt from UNs Kimberly Process

Related Link: http://www.ipsc.ie/

Lupe Fiasco - Conflict Diamonds

Blood Diamond: Africa

"... with amputation used as a weapon. thousands of people were killed and maimed as the rebels maintained their tenacious hold on the diamond fields using the gems to buy more guns. rebels forced men women and children to dig for diamonds are gun point. these diamonds were then into the world markets. there they were cut and polished, disappearing into the world supply..."

"...60% of diamonds are smuggled..."

A Bling-Bling Bloody Mess for William Jefferson

"...blood (or conflict) diamonds, are among the most horrific phenomena in Africa. We're talking about children having their limbs hacked off so that you can walk around blinged out. We're talking about devastating regional wars being fought so that you can floss your ice..."

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