Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Zim diamonds are not 'Blood Diamonds': minister

Zim diamonds are not 'Blood Diamonds': minister
Ralph Nkomo
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Women take a break from illegally digging for diamonds in Marange, Zimbabwe in November 2006. (Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated Press)

ZIMBABWE on Wednesday denied claims of killings in its diamond fields, at a meeting on preventing the sale of "blood diamonds", despite reports of abuses in the evictions of small-scale miners.

The meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), in Windhoek takes place as pressure mounts on the body to effectively act on its mission to combat the trade.

The KP, which was implemented in 2003, requires diamond-producing countries to have controls in place certifying shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free."

Alleged abuses in Zimbabwe's eastern Marange diamond fields are among the most serious claims under consideration at the Kimberley Process conference, reviewing efforts to prevent trade in the gems from fueling armed conflicts.

Deputy mines and mining development minister Murisi Zwizwai told the 200 delegates that there had been a "special operation" to clear out thousands of illegal miners in Marange earlier this year, but denied any killings had occurred.

Zwizwai is the MDC-T Member of House of Assembly for Harare Central.

"Conflict damonds are diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments," he said. "There is no armed conflict in Zimbabwe."

"Contrary to allegations in the media, nobody was killed by security forces during an operation at Marange, where about 30,000 people descended onto the alluvial mining field," Zwizwai added.

"These people comprised of cunning, die-hard illegal diamond diggers," Zwizwai said.

"This compelled government to conduct a special operation to flush out the illegal diamond miners and to bring order and sanity to the area."

Zwizwai said that some diamonds illegally mined from Marange had "found their way to markets in neighbouring countries and abroad."

"There are unsubstantiated reports of a number of deaths and cases of human rights abuse which we are keen to investigates if anybody comes forward with any leading information," he added.

Human rights groups have called for Zimbabwe's suspension from the Kimberley Process over claims of forced evictions and other abuses in Marange.

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses in April banned the sale of diamonds from Marange, but Kimberley has resisted taking a tough stance.

Independent newspapers in Zimbabwe reported on alleged killings by security forces in Marange earlier this year.

The allegations over Zimbabwe are the most serious facing the six-year-old scheme. Namibia currently chairs the KPCS, which has 49 members representing 75 countries.

AFP, DPA and other sources were used in compiling this report.

Labels: BLOOD DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 12:36 AM