•  
  •  
 

Abstract

This Note focuses on the accountability of corporations for indirectly fueling civil wars by purchasing diamonds from insurgent groups. While many corporations are involved in the diamond industry, De Beers controls a majority of the uncut diamond market, including mining, buying, and selling uncut diamonds. Therefore, this Note will analyze whether De Beers may be held liable for knowingly funding war criminals under the Alien Tort Claims Act ("ATCA"). Part I of this Note examines the trade in conflict diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone and De Beers's involvement in this trade. Part II examines case law developments under the ATCA and obstacles to recovery against multinational corporations ("MNCs") under the ATCA. Part II also outlines efforts made by international organizations, the U.S. government, and MNCs to regulate the activities of MNCs in host countries. Part III argues that De Beers should be liable under the ATCA for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity by funding insurgent groups engaged in human rights violations. This Note concludes that the ATCA should be amended and offers a proposal for legislation to make MNCs liable for their involvement in human rights abuses. Under an amended ATCA, De Beers could be held accountable for its part in the conflict diamond trade.

Download

Share

COinS