JA Calls for Quick Implementation of KP Work Plan in Zimbabwe

Posted in News by Admin on November 19th, 2009

Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association in the U.S. for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, has called upon the Kimberley Process (KP) to fully and quickly implement a work plan that has been agreed upon by the KP and the government of Zimbabwe. The work plan is designed to address serious concerns over the country’s non-compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and reported human rights violations in the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe.

JA has kept a close eye on the recent KP plenary that took place in Namibia, especially with regard to outcomes pertaining to diamonds from the Marange fields. A KP review mission to the country this past summer indicated significant non-compliance with the minimum requirements of the KPCS.

On November 5, the KP decided, amidst great debate, against the suspension of Zimbabwe and has instead implemented a 12-month work plan that specifically targets exports of rough diamonds from the country’s Marange diamond fields, the site of reported human rights violations.

“Jewelers of America continues to support the Kimberley Process, which has been vital to maintaining consumer confidence in diamonds since it was first implemented in 2003,” says JA president Matthew A. Runci. “However, we are disappointed with how the KP has handled the situation in Zimbabwe, believing more decisive action was widely expected at the plenary meeting.”

That said, JA believes the work plan, as agreed between KP and Zimbabwe — if implemented fully and quickly — is a step in the right direction that would help ensure KP compliance and improve conditions on the ground in Zimbabwe. The association fully supports the U.S. Department of State, which has called for the “full and expeditious implementation of the stringent controls” that were agreed upon at the Plenary. As part of the KP work plan, all rough diamond shipments from the Marange region will be suspended until a KP monitor is in place. Once the KP monitor is in place, all exports from that region must bear the signature of the monitor on the KP Certificate.

“It is incumbent upon all — governments and industry alike — to see to it that these particular requirements are met as the full work plan is implemented,” Runci added. “Jewelers of America remains deeply concerned about reported human rights abuses in the diamond fields of Marange and we will continue to follow implementation closely.”

JA has also updated its member guidance on conflict diamonds in order to address specific questions about Zimbabwe.