The Kimberley Process should release its report and recommendations on Zimbabwe's diamond sector as soon as possible, the executive committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) said on Tuesday.

WFDB president Avi Paz made the call after the WFDB executive committee's meeting at the London Diamond Bourse on Monday.

"We have been following the situation in Zimbabwe with considerable concern," said Paz in a statement.

"We discussed the situation in the country at length."

A Kimberley Process review team visited Zimbabwe in August, during which it met senior government and mining officials, and visited the Marange diamond fields.

This followed reports of human rights violations and illegal diamond mining and trading activities in the Marange area.

Paz said they fully supported the efforts of the Kimberley Process to find a way to first and foremost defend the safety and well-being of Zimbabwe citizens living in areas where diamonds were located.

Proper use of Zim's diamond resources

He said the WFDB also abides by the principle that their long-term economic and social welfare would 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."

Paz said the WFDB would do all it could to support the efforts of the Kimberley Process to successfully resolve the situation.

The Kimberley Process is a joint initiative among governments, industry and civil society to stem the flow of conflict diamonds — rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as conflict-free.

Sapa

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