Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
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Go to combating conflict diamonds
Campbell testimony shines light on blood diamonds and the importance of international justice
Global Witness is attending the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague as supermodel Naomi Campbell is called to testify. The event offers a useful reminder of the role of natural resources in funding conflict, and of the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Press Release – 04/08/2010
Crisis averted by last-minute deal on Zimbabwe diamonds, but campaigners warn that biggest test lies ahead
A deal reached by the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme could pave the way for reinforced oversight of diamond production in Zimbabwe, while allowing for limited exports. The deal is far from perfect and its success or otherwise will be determined by what the main players do next.
Press Release – 15/07/2010
Bail for Zimbabwe diamond activist welcome, but charges must be dropped
We welcome the decision by the Harare High Court to grant bail to Zimbawean human rights campaogner, Farai Maguwu, who has been in custody since 3 June. The spurious charges against Fairai must now be droppped immediately.
Press Release – 13/07/2010
Global Witness and PAC reject Zimbabwe diamond bribe allegations
Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada categorically reject allegations that they offered to support Zimbabwe’s bid to resume diamond exports in exchange for a 1% cut of the profits. The allegation surfaced at the end of the Kimberley Process meeting.
Press Release – 28/06/2010
Diamond meeting ends without consensus on Zimbabwe; Serious challenges ahead for landmark certification scheme
The lack of consensus among Kimberley Process certification scheme members over whether Zimbabwe can resume diamond exports from the troubled Marange area was welcomed by the KP civil society coalition today as the ‘least bad’ outcome. The scheme’s annual meeting in Tel Aviv broke up without agreement after through-the-night talks.
Press Release – 24/06/2010
Campaigners denounce effort to silence whistle-blower
The Zimbabwe authorities should immediately release Farai Maguwu, a prominent activist who reported abuses in Zimbabwe’s notorious Marange diamond fields, the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition said today. The call comes just before a June 21 meeting in Tel Aviv.
Press Release – 18/06/2010
Return of the blood diamond: how the crisis in Zimbabwe is undermining international efforts to eradicate conflict diamonds
Zimbabwe's Zanu PF political and military elite are seeking to capture the country's diamond wealth through a combination of state-sponsored violence and the introduction of opaque joint-venture companies, says a new report from Global Witness.
Press Release – 14/06/2010
Global Witness rejects claim that Zimbabwe diamonds are clean
State-sponsored violence and human rights abuses are still taking place in the diamond fields of eastern Zimbabwe, in contrast to claims made in a leaked report from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme monitor, said Global Witness today.
Press Release – 08/06/2010
Rights groups express outrage at state persecution of Zimbabwean activists
Global Witness and civil society partners today condemned the state-sponsored harassment and intimidation of a Zimbabwean non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Research and Development (CRD), which has been instrumental in exposing ongoing human rights abuses in Zimbabwe’s notorious Marange diamond fields.
Press Release – 02/06/2010
Global Witness warns Zimbabwe against exporting blood diamonds
The Zimbabwean High Court has apparently approved the sale of diamonds from Zimbabwe's troubled Marange fields. If Zimbabwe exports Marange diamonds without prior approval from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, it will be in breach of its commitments and should face suspension.
Press Release – 28/04/2010
Latest Publications
September 2010
Global Witness stands by findings on Sudanese oil data
Global Witness today refuted claims that it had apologized for the findings of its September 2009 report, Fuelling Mistrust, on the lack of transparency in Sudan's oil sector. The organisation said that although very important commitments on improving transparency were made recently by the Government of National Unity (GoNU), the full disclosure of oil revenue data and the results of an independent audit remain necessary to prove the concerns were unfounded.
August 2010
Global Witness welcomes Norwegian government disinvestment from predatory loggers Samling
Global Witness welcomes the Norwegian Government Pension Fund's decision to disinvest from the notorious Malaysian timber giant Samling. Global Witness has previously exposed illegal logging by Samling in Cambodia as well as evidence of legal breaches by two Samling-associated companies in Liberia.
Global Witness welcomes new commitment to transparency in Sudan
Global Witness has participated in a landmark seminar on oil revenue transparency in Khartoum, organised by the Sudanese government and attended by foreign oil companies. We welcome the commitment to increase transparency, including an audit of the oil sector and publication of key production and revenue figures.
Global Witness applauds RBS penalty over terrorist financing
Global Witness welcomes the decisive action taken by the UK financial regulator, the FSA, which has fined the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) £5.6 million for failing to check whether its customers were on the UK terrorist sanctions list.
Campbell testimony shines light on blood diamonds and the importance of international justice
Global Witness is attending the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague as supermodel Naomi Campbell is called to testify. The event offers a useful reminder of the role of natural resources in funding conflict, and of the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
