For more than a year, the World Diamond Council has voiced its concerns regarding allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and significant examples of irregularities concerning Kimberley Process compliance.
Following agreement of the Working Plan, in November 2009, the World Diamond Council said the world would be watching closely and cautioned the Kimberley Process and the Zimbabwe Government not to squander this opportunity.
To date, it would appear that some progress has been made. Whilst we welcome this, we continue to regard these efforts as ongoing and call for both the Zimbabwe Government and the Kimberley Process to increase their efforts to show demonstrable progress.
In November 2009, the Zimbabwean authorities agreed with other member states of the Kimberley Process to implement a detailed Working Plan to bring Zimbabwe into full compliance and to bring an end to human rights abuses around diamond diggings in the Marange region.
A key feature of the Working Plan is the placement of a Special Monitor, appointed by the Kimberley Process and mandated to oversee the export of rough diamonds from the Marange region.
Exports from this region have been suspended since November and will not resume until the Monitor is appointed and in place. The WDC reaffirms its guidance to industry members to exercise extreme caution when buying rough diamonds on the market to ensure that, for the time being, they do not originate from Marange.
Issues requiring urgent attention include:
- An end to the apparent delay in appointing a credible, independent Monitor to oversee exports from the Marange region.
- Demonstration that efforts to end human rights abuses have been successful, by assuring the safety and security of local communities, and ensuring that those responsible for abuses will be brought to justice.
- Demonstrate action being taken to combat corruption and smuggling in the Marange region.
Should the Zimbabwe authorities fail to take advantage of the opportunity the Working Plan presents, the World Diamond Council will call for the immediate suspension of Zimbabwe from the Kimberley Process.
The WDC also call upon all participating Governments to adopt the proposal, forwarded by civil society, and supported by the diamond industry, to include wording related to human rights, in and around diamond mining activity, as part of the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Finally, an effective and credible Kimberley Process is in the interests of everyone, from mining communities to the consumer. The WDC, therefore, calls on Government participants of the Kimberley Process to increase their efforts in enforcing its systems and standards, thus ensuring that all diamonds are lawfully mined, documented and exported.
Related posts:
- World Diamond Council Calls for Decisive Action Concerning Zimbabwe’s Participation in the Kimberley Process
- World Diamond Council Calls for Increased Vigilance of Potential Trade in Zimbabwe’s Marange Diamonds
- WFDB Executive Committee Calls on Kimberley Process to Expedite Release of Report and Recommendations about Zimbabwe
- World Diamond Council Condemns Intimidation of Observers or Participants in the Kimberley Process Diamond Certification Scheme
- EU: Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting Further Strengthens International Efforts to combat trade with conflict diamonds
