World Diamond Council Calls for Action on Zimbabwe

JCK Staff -- JCK Online, 8/26/2009 1:54:57 PM

The World Diamond Council on Wednesday called for action from governments in the Kimberley Process to resolve issues surrounding the Marange alluvial diamond fields in Zimbabwe.

The WDC stated it would not hesitate to call for Zimbabwe's suspension from the KP if the country's government did not act on recommendations to deal with its alleged human rights abuses.

According to a recent SW Radio Africa report, Zimbabwe will not face suspension from the KP.

Zimbabwe's Parliament has opened an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and illegal activities at the Chiadzwa diamonds fields, according to another news report.

A KP review mission reportedly visited the country in July and found evidence of human rights abuses and recommended a ban on Zimbabwe's diamond trading for at least 6 months.

A Human Rights Watch report in June detailed the forced labor, torture and beatings in the diamond fields of Marange, Zimbabwe by the hands of the African nation's police and army.

Numerous NGOs, such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada, had backed calls for Zimbabwe's suspension from the KP.

For more information on Zimbabwe and the KP, check out Rob Bates' blog "Cutting Remarks".