abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

3 Jun 2015

Author:
Jessica Elgot, The Guardian (UK)

Angola: Tiffany & Co, Leber & other diamond firms sign open letter to President José Eduardo dos Santos asking to ensure respect for intl. law standards in Rafael Marques trial

“Tiffany & Co backs investigative reporter in Angola blood diamonds case-Diamond retailer signs open letter to Angolan president over Rafael Marques de Morais, known for his groundbreaking investigation into blood diamonds”, 3 June 2015  

Tiffany & Co has called on Angola to drop the prosecution of an investigative reporter known for his groundbreaking investigation into blood diamonds. The diamond retailer is one of a host of famous names…who have signed an open letter to Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos over the treatment of Rafael Marques de Morais. Marques…given a six-month suspended sentence over claims made in his 2011 book, Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola…[which]…accused seven army generals of complicity in more than 100 killings and widespread torture by a private security company, owned by the generals, in the country’s diamond fields. “Marques’ vital investigations into human rights abuses should not be impeded by the threat of jail, which is set to loom over him for two years under the court’s terms,” the letter reads. “[His] reporting is fundamental…to the world…We call on you to ensure standards of international law…”…[I]n an unexpected twist, judge Adriano Cerveira…handed down a suspended six month sentence for “slander” and ordered Marques to “withdraw the book from the market, including on the internet, and not to republish or translate it”…Other signatories…include Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales; actors Janet Suzman and Juliet Stevenson; playwright Howard Brenton; former Times editor Sir Harold Evans and the paper’s current editor, John Witherow…[O]ther diamond merchants have also signed, including ethical jewellers Brilliant Earth and Leber. The letter will be delivered to the embassy of Angola in London by the free expression group Index on Censorship…

Timeline