Maravi

(HERALD) KPCS plenary session to go ahead

KPCS plenary session to go ahead
Sunday, 02 October 2011 01:00
By Tafadzwa Chiremba

THE Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) plenary session slated for the Democratic Republic of Congo next month will go ahead as scheduled after the diamond body’s chairman, Mr Mathieu Yamba, blocked attempts by some Western non-governmental organisations to prevent the meeting from taking place citing human rights violations in Zimbabwe. In a letter to the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations on September 23, Mr Yamba said he would “continue to work with those who wish so”.

The coalition — led by Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) and Global Watch — had written to him, arguing the impending meeting would end all “meaningful oversight” of the Chiadzwa diamonds.

The grouping also threatened to boycott the meeting alleging the diamonds had fuelled human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. However, the KP chair hit back strongly, insisting the Kinshasa plenary session would proceed.

“I take note, with disappointment, of the decision from the civil society not to take part in the plenary in Kinshasa,” reads Mr Yamba’s letter.

“However, I respect this decision and would continue working together with all those who wish so in order to help the KP fulfil the mission for which it was created.

“I would like to wish us all to carry on serenely and constructively our November plenary meeting for the well-being of the KP and the whole diamond sector.”

In its letter signed by one Alan Martin, the coalition threatened to boycott the meeting and ultimately pull out of the KP. It also claimed that the body had failed to deal with the rough diamond supply chain.

Part of the letter reads: “We have grave concerns about the ability of the Kimberley Process to respond effectively to situations where diamonds are fuelling armed violence and gross human rights violations.

“We remain particularly concerned that this plenary will likely end all meaningful oversight of Marange despite ongoing and credible concerns about its compliance and co-operation with the KP in meeting minimum standards.

“We also note the reluctance within the KP to adopt the institutional reforms necessary to ensure robust and credible oversight of the rough diamond supply chain.”

The Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations made headlines last year after two of its members — Global Witness and PAC — allegedly demanded a multimillion-dollar bribe from the Zimbabwe Government in exchange for support at a KP plenary meeting held in Israel to determine whether Harare should trade in diamonds mined in Chiadzwa.

The NGOs allegedly demanded 1 percent of the money raised from the sale of the gems.
Their representatives are said to have accosted Mines and Mining Development Minister Cde Obert Mpofu on the sidelines of the meeting.

Recently, PAC appealed to the KP to redefine the term “blood diamond” in order to include Zimbabwe’s precious stones in this category. The London-based Global Witness is a lobby group that claims to investigate the exploitation of natural resources.

Analysts say such organisations are seeking to block diamond exports because the trade would help Zimbabwe bust the Western-imposed illegal sanctions.
Analysts also contend that the NGOs in the KP are only observers.
According to the KP constitutive memorandum, only member states are participants.

“The other parties — the NGOs, World Diamond Council (WDC), World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the National Diamonds Manufacturing Association (NDMA) — are all observers,” said an analyst.

“All decisions are only made by the participants and not observers.

“Any continued discussion on Marange exports should not be on whether or not Zimbabwe must export diamonds because the country’s permission to export is derived from the confirmation by the monitor whose report was adopted in full plenary.”

The KP is a voluntary organisation that seeks to prevent trade in conflict diamonds.
Zimbabwe is one of the founders after joining in 2002.-The Sunday Mail

Labels: DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS

posted by MrK @ 4:35 PM