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Marange, Chiadzwa and other diamond fields and the Kimberley Process - Index of articles
Industry must refuse Zimbabwe diamonds certified by rogue monitor
Global Witness
November 16, 2010
The World Diamond
Council and other diamond industry bodies must immediately issue
clear public statements instructing their members not to purchase
improperly certified diamonds from Zimbabwe's contentious
Marange diamond fields, said Global Witness today.
Exports from Marange are subject to restrictions
imposed by the Kimberley Process (KP) rough diamond certification
scheme, because of concerns regarding human rights abuses and military
involvement in diamond mining and smuggling in the region. Last
week a controversial KP-mandated monitor, Abbey Chikane, is reported
to have returned to Zimbabwe to certify Marange diamonds in preparation
for sale and export, despite the fact that he received no authorisation
from the Kimberley Process to do this.
"Diamond industry bodies must show leadership
by instructing their members to refuse purchase of these diamonds
which appear to have been certified by a discredited monitor who
has gone beyond his mandate," said Global Witness director
Charmian Gooch. "The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council
in India and the UAE's Dubai Multi Commodities Centre should
be especially vigilant, since these countries have been the main
destinations for previous exports from Marange."
Abbey Chikane's reported visit to Zimbabwe
follows the Kimberley Process's failure earlier this month
to reach an agreement authorising future diamond exports from Marange.
Global Witness is calling on all parties in the KP to ensure a credible
deal that benchmarks future diamond exports with verified progress
by the Zimbabwean government in meeting the commitments it has already
made. The most important of these include full demilitarisation
of the diamond trade, tackling systematic smuggling and ensuring
respect for civil society monitoring in Marange.
Gooch said:
"This is a crucial test of the diamond industry's system
of self-regulation - disputed diamonds from Marange pose a
real threat to the integrity of the diamond supply chain. By refusing
to buy these stones, the industry can reinforce the strength and
credibility of the Kimberley Process, and chart a path to a satisfactory
agreement on Marange diamonds."
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