Zimbabwe Army Tightens Grip on Diamond Fields

A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemns the Zimbabwe Defense Force for increasing troops at the Chiadzwa diamond fields in the Marange District. This despite calls for suspension of Zimbabwe from the Kimberly Process (KP), resulting from the army's presence and subsequent human rights abuses in the diamond fields.

In a report authored by HRW, the organization charges that government sanctioned human rights abuses have not only continued, but worsened.

Last month a KP team traveled to Marange district to assess compliance with the organization's standards for the lawful mining, documentation and exportation of diamonds. The mission reported numerous violations.

As reported by IDEX Online, Mines Minister, Obert Mpofu said that the army would commence with a phased withdrawal from Marange. However, "not only has Zimbabwe refused to move the military out of Marange, but it has rotated new units in," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The human rights abuses and smuggling are continuing, and witnesses to earlier abuses are being harassed and threatened."

HRW urged that Zimbabwean diamonds be banned from sale on world markets because of a recent report by a KP review mission confirming HRW allegations of killings and smuggling.

The KP gave Harare until July 20 make changes to their control of the area, including a withdrawal of all military forces, forces which the mission found were illegally mining and selling diamonds.