Monitor to Clear Zimbabwe Diamonds

Summary: Zimbabwe government is close to giving consent to the exporeting of Zimbabwean diamonds. Many people are upset becasue some of the workers that mined the diamonds were attacked and raped by soldiers. Abbey Chikane, the Kimberley Process monitor for Zimbabwe, said he will recommend that diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange field be sold as certified, conflict-free diamonds. The Kimberley team said in July that security forces had beaten diamond miners with batons, set dogs to attack them, and raped women who were illegally mining in the Marange fields. It also said some government officials were benefiting from sales of those stones. Army soldiers will remain in the Marange field to keep illegal panners from moving into the area.
Opinion: I think that it is very sad that these people are forced to work under these conditions because they have no other choice. I think that the government should be doing more about protecting these worker's rights, and should thoroughly inspect the mines before they allow them to re-open. But the economy really needs the diamond exports because of the horrible economic state it is in right now.

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