Human Rights Watch calls for Zimbabwe to be removed from diamond control body for its abuses

Rights group calls to halt Zimbabwe diamond trade

JERUSALEM — A human rights group is calling on the global diamond industry’s oversight body to remove Zimbabwe from its ranks because of alleged abuses in its diamond fields.

Human Rights Watch said its researchers have found evidence of forced labor, torture, beatings and harassment by troops in the Marange diamond field in eastern Zimbabwe.

The group wants Zimbabwe suspended from the Kimberley Process, the global body responsible for ending the trade of “blood diamonds” that fund fighting across Africa. It sanctioned Zimbabwe a year ago but stopped short of expelling it.

Zimbabwe denies the allegations.

The report was published Monday as industry leaders gathered in Israel for a Kimberley Process meeting.