promoting human rights and the rule of law in southern africa
By Sapa-AP
Conference organizers say the global diamond industry’s oversight body has upheld a ban preventing Zimbabwe from exporting its vast stockpile of diamonds from a large mine.
Israel sponsored this year’s gathering of the 75-nation global body responsible for ending the trade of diamonds that fund fighting across Africa.
Zimbabwe wants to export diamonds from its Marange field. It denies allegations by human rights groups of forced labour, torture, beatings and harassment by government troops there.
The African nation has threatened to flood the world market with underpriced diamonds if it is not allowed to export.