Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Leo Dicaprio, Djimon Hounsou and Ryan Gosling join protest against diamond mining in war zones

Washington, Feb 26: Oscar nominees, actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou and Ryan Gosling appeared at the Oscars on 25th February wearing red teardrop pins, designed by Alessandra Gallo Jewelry and hand-made by Ricardo Basta of Beverly Hills, to raise awareness about diamond mining in war zones

The actors have joined the Amnesty International campaign against gem mining industry in troubled areas of the world.

DiCaprio and Hounsou were listed for Academy awards for their role in Blood Diamond, a film set in the Sierra Leone Civil War, in the country torn apart by two sides, unmindful of innocent non combatants,

"Americans buy half of the diamond jewelry sold worldwide -- $33 billion a year in U.S. sales," said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "We feel that this industry has an obligation -- and consumers should demand -- that the diamonds that are bought and sold are conflict free, given the devastating human toll blood diamonds extract."

Amnesty International USA and Global Witness partnered in supporting Warner Bros.' film Blood Diamond to raise awareness about these important human rights issues.

After the Academy Awards, the pins will be auctioned. Proceeds will be devoted to the rehabilitation of child soldiers through the work of Amnesty International and partner organizations, as well as Global Witness's work on conflict diamonds. (ANI and Sawf News)

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