Commentary: Zimbabwe abuses require urgent attention

For more than a year, the World Diamond Council (WDC) has voiced its concerns regarding allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and significant examples of irregularities concerning Kimberley Process (KP) compliance.

Following agreement of the Working Plan (WP) at the KP Plenary in November 2009, the WDC said the world would be watching closely and cautioned the KP 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 KP to increase their efforts to show demonstrable progress.

In November 2009, the Zimbabwean authorities agreed with other member states of the KP to implement a detailed WP to bring Zimbabwe into full compliance and bring an end to human rights abuses around diamond diggings in the Marange region.

A key feature of the WP is the placement of a special monitor, appointed by the KP 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; and 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 WP presents, the WDC will call for the immediate suspension of Zimbabwe from the KP.

The WDC also calls 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 KP Certification Scheme.

Finally, an effective and credible KP is in the interests of everyone, from mining communities to the consumer. The WDC, therefore, calls on government participants of the KP to increase their efforts in enforcing its systems and standards, thus ensuring that all diamonds are lawfully mined, documented and exported.

— The preceding is a statement by the World Diamond Council on Jan. 15, 2010. Formed in 2000, the WDC includes representation from the diamond industry, countries where diamonds play a major economic role, and the international banking sector. www.worlddiamondcouncil.com .