Kimberly Process Chair Defends Recent Decision Not to Suspend Zimbabwe

Posted in News by Admin on November 11th, 2009

Responding to critics of last week’s decision by the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme not to suspend Zimbabwe over charges of human rights abuses in the eastern Marange diamond field, outgoing Kimberly Process Chairman Bernard Esau said that the Harare government has done much to address problems in the Manicaland province district.

Esau added in an interview that diamonds from the field are not funding conflict and Harare needs help to comply with Kimberly standards.

But Mutare-based analyst Farai Maguwu of the Center for Research and Development said Esau’s explanation won’t keep independent groups from speaking out on Marange, where Human Rights Watch says the military in control has killed more than 200 people.