WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2010-06-08 Time: 17:00:01 Posted By: News Poster
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) today expressed grave concern regarding the June 3 arrest of Farai Maguwu, director of the Mutare-based Centre for Research and Development (CRD) in Zimbabwe.
“Maguwu and the CRD are vocal local civil society actors. They’ve exposed a range of human rights violations characterizing the government’s efforts since 2006 to control the Marange diamond fields,” said Suliman Baldo, ICTJ’s Africa Director. “Arresting Maguwu is like shooting the messenger. If the Inclusive Government is to have any credibility, it must cease this kind of harassment.”
The CRD has been a vital point of contact for international civil society groups who are monitoring Zimbabwe’s adherence to the standards of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KP), a worldwide initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds.
Maguwu was arrested on charges of allegedly communicating and publishing falsehoods during the visit of a Kimberly Process monitor, dispatched by the initiative to investigate serious indications that the production of diamonds in Zimbabwe’s Marange fields did not comply with KP minimum standards. Human rights groups reported the killing of hundreds of illegal miners in Marange in 2008 and assert that violations continue.
Maguwu, who has been in police cells for five days, appeared in a Harare court today for the first time; he was not officially remanded, yet remains in custody. He is also being interrogated by a team of police and military officials, including officials from the notorious police Law and Order Unit, some of whose members have been previously accused of torturing suspects in custody.
“Rather than harass local activists, government should address the real problems associated with Marange diamond extraction,” Baldo said. “That includes the illicit enrichment of rogue security forces and Zanu-PF members.”
Farai Maguwu is an alumnus of ICTJ’s 2009 Cape Town Fellowship, a highly selective international training program in transitional justice.
Background
Zimbabwe’s diamonds are a vital component of its export trade. In November 2009, the Kimberly Process considered suspending Zimbabwe’s membership in the initiative in the wake of credible allegations of human rights abuses leveled against the Zimbabwean state and its security forces. Much of the evidence supporting these allegations was provided by the CRD.
The Kimberly Process stopped short of suspending Zimbabwe’s membership and gave it until June 2010 to improve its adherence. It appointed an independent monitor, Abbey Chikane, to oversee this process, whose second visit took place in late May–June 2010. In a report released today, Chikane asserted that Zimbabwe “has satisfied the minimum requirements of the KPSC,” and recommended that the Kimberly Process clear Marange field rough diamonds for export.
Local and international human rights groups have raised serious concerns that proceeds from unregulated diamond mining continue to fund elements within Zimbabwe’s security forces and Zanu-PF outside of the structures of the Inclusive Government formed in February 2009. The KP has not explored this aspect of Zimbabwe’s informal economy, but asserts it will supervise export arrangements once Zimbabwe resumes official trading.
Maguwu’s arrest is the latest in a series of arrests and interrogations of civil society activists by Zimbabwe’s unreformed security services.
Original date published: 8 June 2010
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201006080861.html?viewall=1