Case: Policy coherence in general

05-08-2009 Greens concerned about Zimbabwean diamonds

Whereas Zimbabwe - like the EU - is party in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for rough diamonds that is to prevent trade in wrong diamonds, strong human rights violations in its diamond fields have been reported. Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA) is asking the Commission whether they should not be pushing for suspension of Zimbabwe from the KCPS and/or halt trade in Zimbabwean diamonds in the EU. For raising this incoherent and unfair issue in her question, we hereby monitor Sargentini as Fair Politician.

 

Update 15-10-2009:

MEP Judith Sargentini has posed a follow-up question in response to the answers that she received to her question on human rights violations in the mining of diamonds in Zimbabwe. You can find this new set of questions below.

 

Parliamentary questions
15 October 2009 
P-5143/09
WRITTEN QUESTION by Judith Sargentini (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

 Subject: Follow-up question on human rights violations in the mining of diamonds in Zimbabwe 

1. In its answers to my question of 23 July 2009 (E‑3989/09) the Commission refers to a compliance action plan to be developed for Zimbabwes diamond production and management. What is the current status of this compliance action plan and what concrete steps will the Commission take to ensure that Zimbabwe fully and effectively carries out the proposed compliance action plan?

2. Given that the extreme violence and gross human rights abuses in the Marange diamond areas in Zimbabwe have been ongoing since 2006, what timeline and relevant measures does the Commission propose in order to bring Zimbabwe back into compliance with the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process (KP)? What action will the Commission take if Zimbabwe fails to meet this timeline?

3. Failure to suspend Zimbabwe from the Kimberley Process, despite the evidence of non‑-compliance found by the KP review mission, indicates to other members of the KP that there will be no serious consequences if countries do not meet the schemes minimum requirements. What steps will the Commission take to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the Kimberley Process in this respect?

4. Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti recently confirmed that the Inclusive Government is getting zero from the trade in Marange diamonds, and that the diamond fields are entirely under the control of the Zimbabwe National Army and Zanu-PF. What is the Commission's perspective on or analysis of indications that allowing Zanu-PF to profit solely from the illicit trade in Marange diamonds may undermine the stability of the Inclusive Government and the success of the GPA?

5. Will the Commission answer these questions before the meeting of the Kimberley Process in Namibia in November 2009?

 

Monitor fair: Greens/EFA