Venezuela Ousted from Anti-Conflict Diamond Kimberley Process for Two Years

The Diamond World News Service reports that Venezuela, a Kimberley Process member, has been expelled from the KP for two years, according to a resolution adopted at the recent inter-sessional meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in New Delhi. A group of seven NGOs had called for Venezuela’s immediate expulsion from the KPCS due to “serious non-compliance” with the anti conflict-diamond scheme over the last four years. During the meeting KP chairman Rahul Khullar declared that Venezuela will not export rough diamonds for two years. He added that a KP team will assess the situation in the country and present a report prior to the next plenary meeting scheduled for November. The recent inter-sessional meeting, which was chaired by India, was attended by 200 delegates from 35 countries. The agenda included boosting the scheme by reviewing its progress and suggesting room for improvement in various areas.