 |
| Buhsman children, South Africa
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
British supermodel Lily Cole, the current face of De Beers, has stated
that she is refusing to work for De Beers again, over claims that Bushmen
were evicted to make way for future diamond mining in Botswana. Her
statement follows lobbying from human rights organisation Survival
International. Lily tells Survival, "I was unaware of these
matters when I was booked for the shoot."
Stephen Corry, Director of Survival International said: "I am delighted
that Lily has heeded our advice and understands the human suffering
that diamonds are causing the Bushmen. I now urge other models
not to work for De Beers. De Beers must realise that the only way
out of this is for the Bushmen to be given back their land."
Lily Cole is not the first model to quit working for De Beers.
Supermodel Iman famously quit as the face of De Beers after meeting
with Survival International. Meanwhile British supermodel Erin
O'Connor distanced herself from De Beers stating '"I don't think that
doing a job like (being the face of De Beers) would in any way add to
my life or make me happy. I would make that stand, and say 'no'."
This is part of Survival International's ongoing campaign against De
Beers in support of the Bushmen of the Kalahari over their eviction
from their lands to make way for future diamond mining. Since the
eviction, the Bushmen have been continuously persecuted. Only last
month seven were tortured by wildlife officials for hunting to feed
their families.
Last month Survival and pioneering American feminist Gloria Steinem
picketed the opening of De Beers's first US store in New York. Survival
supporters urged US celebrities Teri Hatcher and Lindsay Lohan not to
cross the picket line.
Meanwhile, screen icon Julie Christie has lent her support to the
campaign stating: "Boycott De Beers! Or have the destruction of the
Bushmen on your conscience."
For more information, and photos of the Survival protests, please contact Miriam Ross at +44 20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
