Brussels, 03/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Since Tuesday 1 November, Zimbabwe has been permitted to sell diamonds from the Marange mine after due control - a breakthrough reached at the last meeting of the Kimberley Process (KP) (Kinshasa, DRC, 1-4 November), greatly welcomed by the EU. All progress in implementing this international certification system allowing its members to sell uncut diamonds on the market on condition that the trade does not finance armed conflict was hitherto hindered by Zimbabwe, which had been hit since November 2008 by a suspension on the certification of its diamonds for failing to comply with the minimum KP norms for mining operations in Marange. This was due to human rights violations (allegations of forced labour and torture). The agreement reached, with “immediate effect”, puts an end to the impasse which had resulted in talks in June 2011 at the risk of undermining the credibility and integrity of the Kimberley Process.
In a statement published on 1 November by the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton welcomed this agreement which “protects the integrity of the KP, respects the core concerns of Zimbabwe and the EU, recognises the concerns of civil society and meets the expectations of diamond production and importing countries”. After the June meeting, the EU had launched an initiative aimed at reaching consensus among all members of the Kimberley Process, including Zimbabwe. The high representative recalls that “after months of intensive negotiations with all parties, an agreement has now been reached on the basis of this initiative”.
The agreement is based on: - a renewed commitment by Zimbabwe to address outstanding areas of non-compliance so as to ensure adherence to KP minimum standards for the whole of the Marange area; - a credible oversight mechanism (KP monitoring teams) allowing for unrestricted but monitored export of compliant Marange diamonds; - and a role for civil society (in line with KP tripartite structure) to ensure transparency on the implementation of KP demands at the Marange mine. (AN/transl.jl)