Zimbabwe Spared by KP

Posted in News by Admin on November 9th, 2009

The Kimberley Process (KP) concluded its annual plenary in Namibia on Thursday with the decision to retain Zimbabwe as a member, despite previous reports of noncompliance with KP regulations. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) has instead adopted a working plan to monitor diamonds mined at the Marange fields in the Chiadzwa region.Human rights organizations called for Zimbabwe’s suspension in the run-up to the meeting after a KP peer review team found the country to be non-compliant with internal control requirements, specifically regarding diamonds mined at Marange. The organizations also alleged that 200 people had been killed in the past year, a charge the country’s government denies. Zimbabwe’s two other mines — River Ranch and Murowe — were found to be compliant. 

Israel will adopt the position of KP chairman beginning in January 2010, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) serving as vice chair.