NGO Calls to Suspend Zimbabwe from KP

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, scheduled to meet in Swakopmund, Namibia, on November 2-5, should immediately suspend Zimbabwe for continuing human rights abuses and widespread smuggling in the Marange diamond fields, Human Rights Watch said in a release Thursday.

Zimbabwe is accused of committing a series of human rights abuses, including killing hundreds at a diamond field the government tried to take control of. Government officials and army officers are also accused of direct involvement in illegal trading in rough diamonds.

Human Rights Watch researchers carried out investigations from October 12 to 23, establishing that elements of the Zimbabwean Defence Forces have consolidated their presence in the diamond fields and that they are abusing members of the local community and engaging in widespread diamond smuggling. This follows a June 26 Human Rights Watch report, “Diamonds in the Rough,” which details on human rights violations associated with illicit diamond mining at Marange.

“Zimbabwe has had more than enough time to put a halt to the human rights abuses and smuggling at Marange,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Instead, it has sent more troops to the area, apparently trying to put a halt to independent access and scrutiny.”

Zimbabwe’s KP membership is expected to be discussed at the upcoming KP meeting. While there are many voices that support removing the country from the system, a number of African countries, including South Africa, are expected to block these attempts.