Jewelers of America has been working with our Ethical Initiatives Committee for the past week, concerning the news on human rights abuses in Burma. Several CNN reports in the past week, as well as several recent and widely distributed wire services and newspaper articles, have taken the jewelry industry to task for continuing to import Burmese gems into the U.S. - and sell them. This has caused a great deal of concern for JA members, due to the threat to consumer confidence and the effects on retailers, as well as the whole jewelry trade.  

All JA members have agreed to abide by JA's Statement of Principles (a copy is attached), which obligates JA members to adhere to ethical practices on human rights issues. For these reasons, JA is taking the following steps:

1. JA is sending a letter to Congress, which is also attached, asking for an amendment to the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, to specifically add a reference to gemstones, so that gems will join all other products from Burma as banned products, regardless of where they are cut.

2. JA is issuing the attached guidance to members (JA Burma Info and Talking Points) advising them of the situation and of their obligations to the JA Statement of Principles. With the guidance, are talking points that can be used by members when addressing media or consumer questions. YOUR HELP IN DISTRIBUTING THESE THREE DOCUMENTS WIDELY TO YOUR MEMBERSHIPS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED  -- either via email, as postings your websites, or as updates in your newsletters.  

*JA emailed these documents to its members for whom we have emails, along with the message at the bottom of this email (see below). If you send these docs on to your membership email lists,  please include the message in the email body, which explains what the documents are for.

3. JA will also issue a press release to the trade media about our actions.

JA Burma Info and Talking Points for Members

JA Letter to Congress on Burma

JA Statement on Principles