Model won't work for De Beers again
July 12, 2005
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, says London-based Survival International.
Her statement follows lobbying from human rights organisation Survival International.
London spokesperson for De Beers Lynette Hori wasn't available to comment.
Lily told 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, the organisation said.
Only last month seven were tortured by wildlife officials for hunting to feed their families, according to Survival International.
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." - I-Net Bridge
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2622214
interesting. I first heard about this as I scrolled through gettyimages, and if it made it on there, it's fairly big. I haven't seen this on yahoo, yet, though.
July 12, 2005
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, says London-based Survival International.
Her statement follows lobbying from human rights organisation Survival International.
London spokesperson for De Beers Lynette Hori wasn't available to comment.
Lily told 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, the organisation said.
Only last month seven were tortured by wildlife officials for hunting to feed their families, according to Survival International.
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." - I-Net Bridge
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2622214
interesting. I first heard about this as I scrolled through gettyimages, and if it made it on there, it's fairly big. I haven't seen this on yahoo, yet, though.
