Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Lift KP ban: MDC

Lift KP ban: MDC
Posted by By Our reporter at 23 June, at 07 : 20 AM Print

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party led by Professor Welshman Ncube has called for the lifting of an international ban on the trade in diamonds from the Zimbabwe’s Marange fields.

The Kimberly Process, implemented in 2003, was designed to ensure that internationally traded diamonds do not come from areas where the mining of the jewels is used to fund armed conflicts. Zimbabwe has not funded such a conflict, but human rights organizations have alleged human rights abuses in Marange by members of armed forces.

These reports have never been verified.

The MDC party Wednesday called for the Kimberly Process to delist its diamonds from its watchlist because the trade would help boost the country’s economy.

“The people of Zimbabwe in general and our civil servants in particular would tremendously benefit from the revenue generated from the sale of diamonds,” read a statement.

“The MDC calls on the (Kimberly Process) to offer practical assistance to Zimbabwe in order to ensure that it is fully compliant with its requirements.”

The MDC statement comes as the self-regulating international diamond watchdog meets in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week.

The MDC comments came as Zimbabwe’s civil servants embark on an indefinite strike, demanding a pay hike of 150 per cent.

The government has said it has insufficient funds to meet those demands.

“The MDC believes diamonds and other mineral resources belong to the people of Zimbabwe and must be exploited for national benefit in a transparent manner.”

Labels: KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MDC

posted by MrK @ 4:09 PM