The Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses has called upon the Kimberley Process to release its much-anticipated report and recommendations about the Zimbabwe diamond mining sector as soon as possible.
A Kimberley Process Review team visited Zimbabwe in August where it met with senior government and mining officials and visited the Marange diamond fields (the site of reported human rights violations and illegal diamond mining and trading activities).
“We have been following the situation in Zimbabwe with considerable concern and we discussed the situation in the country at length,” said WFDB president Avi Paz on behalf of the Executive Committee.
“We fully support the efforts of the Kimberley Process to arrive at a situation that first and foremost defends the safety and well being of Zimbabwe citizens living in those areas where diamonds are located, and at the same time abides by the principle that their long-term economic and social welfare will be best served by the proper and ethical use of Zimbabwe’s diamond resources.
“Given the uncertainty that currently exists regarding the situation in Zimbabwe, we call upon the Kimberley Process to expedite the release of its report and recommendations.
“The WFDB will do all that it can to support the efforts of the Kimberley Process to bring about a successful resolution of the situation,” he said.