With diamonds playing a visible role on Oscar night, Amnesty International USA and Global Witness have asked artists and filmmakers to wear a red teardrop pin to raise awareness about conflict diamonds and their impact on child soldiers.

Artists who will wear the pin at the Academy Awards(R) ceremony and at Oscar celebrations include nominees Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling and Djimon Hounsou.

As the public’s attention is focused on the Academy Awards(R) and Oscar celebrations, Bonnie Abaunza, director of Amnesty International USA’s Artists for Amnesty program, said the director and cast of “Blood Diamond,” as well as other artist supporters of human rights, will signify their commitment to action by wearing a gem-free, tear-shaped pin, designed by Alessandra Gallo Jewellery (http://www.alessandragallo.com/) and hand-made by Ricardo Basta of Beverly Hills, who generously donated labor and materials (http://www.ricardobasta.com/).

The pins will send the message to millions of viewers that evening that the story depicted in “Blood Diamond,” while fictional, is based on a devastating reality in terms of the deaths and human rights abuses tied to conflict diamonds.

After the Academy Awards(R), 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.

Amnesty International USA and Global Witness partnered in supporting Warner Bros.’ film “Blood Diamond” to raise awareness about these important human rights issues. Hundreds of thousands of children are fighting as child soldiers in conflicts around the world today, some of which are funded by conflict diamonds.

Last year, Nicolas Cage donated $2.5 million to Amnesty International to administer to on the ground programs in Africa — medical, psychological and rehabilitation services for children who have fought as soldiers in conflicts in Africa.

Website: http://www.alessandragallo.com
http://www.ricardobasta.com