KP meeting ends in deadlock

by eyetee | July 5, 2010 12:00 am

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The World Diamond Council (WDC) is calling for continued co-operation and dialogue among Kimberley Process (KP) stakeholders days after an intersessional meeting in Tel Aviv failed to reach consensus on Zimbabwe.

Expressing a general feeling of disappointment an agreement could not be reached, the WDC says a redoubling of efforts is necessary regarding implementation of KP minimum standards for exports from the Marange diamond field. The arrest of human rights activist Farai Maguwu by Zimbabwean authorities and reports of his condition remained a point of much debate, as did the recommendation of Abbey Chikane, the KP’s monitor, that exports of Marange diamonds with KP certificates be allowed.

This comes despite reports the military remains in the fields, as well as continued abuses of human rights and smuggling.

The three-day meeting culminated in an all-night session after which KP chair Boaz Hirsch declared an impasse.

“This situation is unprecedented in the Kimberley Process meeting,” Hirsch said. “All parties are committed to further engagement. The KP is based on a partnership between governments, the diamond industry, and the civil society. I am committed to that end and I have asked [WDC president] Eli Izhakoff to jointly convene within the WDC Annual Meeting from July 14 to 15 in St. Petersburg, a mini-summit of the KP major stakeholders. Deliberations will continue in order to find a consensus-based resolution.”

As the debate continued, Rapaport Group chair Martin Rapaport completed a three-day, water-only fast outside the meeting in protest.

“We must face the fact the Kimberley Process is a politicized, government-controlled initiative that is incapable of eliminating human rights violations in the diamond sector,” Rapaport said. “It’s time for the World Diamond Council and responsible non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to withdraw from the KP.”

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/kp-meeting-ends-in-deadlock/

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