“Childhood lost: Diamond mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and weaknesses of the Kimberley Process”, 21 December 2016

…Findings from Swedwatch’s investigation in the DRC indicate that large numbers of children work in the country’s diamond mines…and are exposed to abuses...Girls and young women…are particularly exposed to sexual violations and forced marriage…The work in the mines severely impacts girls’ and boys’ education...Swedwatch interviews indicate that few (if any) mine sites…have been visited as part of a due diligence process by any foreign companies. The lack of traceability regarding origin is an issue of deep concern in the diamond trade…Swedwatch findings indicate that risks associated with artisanal diamond mines in the DRC and other Central African countries are not adequately represented in available corporate information as regards the companies reviewed…[and] that…human rights due diligence is low…This report argues that the KPCS [Kimberley Process Certification Scheme] obscures the true human rights problems within today’s diamond trade…[and] must be restructured or replaced in order to protect the people who are bearing the true cost of the diamond trade…

[Refers to: Ahrenbecks Ädelsliperi, Albrekts Guld, Engelbert Stockholm, Gemma AB, Guldbolaget, Guldfynd, Hallbergs Guld, Iduna AB, Schalins ringar & Smycka AB]