Surat, July 6 (ANI): India has imposed a ban on the import of rough diamonds from Zimbabwe, in wake of reported acts of human rights violations in the African country.
Owing to the reports of rampant human rights violations of the diamond mine workers for the past several years, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has passed a decision not to import diamonds from the Marange diamond mines in Zimbabwe.Chandrakant Sanghvi, the Regional Chairman of GJEPC in Surat, said that India took the decision to impose the ban after the global community and various organizations received reports of human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
"It was decided unanimously that if all the countries are ready, then only would we import Zimbabwe diamonds here (India). The talks that the Zimbabwe diamonds had with the World Diamond Council and others, still faces opposition from the European countries and the USA. Since there is no full support, India has decided that Zimbabwe diamonds will not be imported here," he said.
Sanghvi also stated that Marange mines were not certified by the Kimberley Process Certificate, which is issued to diamond mines by the World Diamond Council for adhering to labour laws and human rights.
He also pointed out that the ban on the Zimbabwe rough diamonds has created problems for the diamond merchants in Surat.
"The import of Zimbabwe diamonds here can provide various sources of livelihood to many people. Our country can incur more profits and employment from this. However, due to the shortage, the prices of rough diamonds have increased by forty to fifty percent in the last six months. It is a loss of employment here. If the rough diamonds come here with everybody's consent, then our people can receive employment and profits can be incurred," said Sanghvi.
Traders in Surat are hoping that a feasible solution is found to import the rough diamonds for the sustenance of the diamond trade. (ANI)
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