Fatal Transactions at the United Nations

A selection of the photo exhibition Diamond Matters by Kadir van Lohuizen was exhibited at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York from December 2-9. Fatal Transactions travelled to New York to attend the presentation of the photo’s and the book signing by Kadir van Lohuizen in the public bookstore of the UN.

Anneke Galama, international co-ordinator of the campaign, informed the audience in the bookstore about the origin and goals of the Fatal Transactions campaign and the role of Fatal Transactions in the production of the photo exhibition Diamond Matters. Next photojournalist Kadir van Lohuizen spoke about his experiences in Sierra Leone, Congo and Angola when he was taking the pictures. He told about the conditions under which the mineworkers have to dig up the earth for diamonds and the little they earn with the valuable stones.

Diamond Matters visualises the complete route of the diamond, from its origin in an African mine to the diamond in an engagement ring. Although officially no more wars (except in Côte d’Ivoire) are fuelled by diamonds, only a part of African diamonds truly contribute to the development of African communities.
Fatal Transactions was interviewed by Rapaport News at the United Nations. The Rapaport Group is actively involved in the development of fair trade jewellery since the blood diamond issue hit the media.

Click here to view the complete interview .