Blogs and social network sites have gathered signatures for an online petition (tiny.cc/kpreform) in recent weeks, as news spread that the Kimberley Process is likely to certify diamonds from Zimbabwes Marange region, despite evidence of mass murders, forced labour, political oppression, and human rights abuses associated with diamond mining.
The Kimberley Process met in Tel Aviv this week, focusing largely on Zimbabwe, and the recommendation from monitor Abbey Chikane to approve certification of the contested diamonds. Zimbabwe was given a one-year deadline to guarantee compliance with the Kimberley Process in September 2009.