US Bans Import of Zimbabwe Diamonds Over Fears of Forced Labour

The US has announced it is detaining all imports of rough-cut artisanal diamonds, specifically from the controversial Marange diamond fields in Eastern Zimbabwe, believing them to be a product of forced labour.

The ban is part of a wider initiative from US authorities that includes goods from companies in Brazil, China, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malaysia, although those are targeted at specific companies, rather than regions, as is the case with Zimbabwe.

A statement released by the US Embassy Harare Twitter page explained that the action was taken based on evidence from the US Customs and Border Protection.  It suggested the diamonds were produced “in whole or in part, using forced labour”.

The Zimbabwean government has hit back at the accusation, with Information Minister Nick Mangwana calling it a “blatant and shameless lie that will surprise even the cynics amongst us”. 

He went on to reaffirm the country’s commitment to combatting slavery, proclaiming that “Zimbabwe’s Constitution prohibits forced or compulsory labour”.  This is in spite the fact that the Global Slavery Index estimates there are around 105,000 people living in Zimbabwe in modern slavery.

The Marange diamond fields have long been in the international spotlight, having played host to vicious killings and human rights abuses in the past.  In 2011 the BBC reported on claims there was a torture camp there, known locally as “Diamond Base”.

In 2009 diamonds mined from the area were banned, yet just two years later that trade ban was lifted, sparking international outrage.  It’s thought that at the time they made up a fifth of the world’s supply.