The BBC recently reported the discovery of alleged torture camps in the Merange diamond field and criticised the Kimberley Process for failing to address violence in the Merange area. In addition to the specific accusation of torture camps, the BBC reported a problem associated with the militarisation of the Merange mining area which has clearly been a concern since 2009.
The pertinent questions are: firstly, whether the Minister and the department are prepared to consider the evidence concerning the discovery of torture camps; and secondly, whether they are of the view that the Kimberley Process should ignore the allegations contained in the report of the BBC.
The systematic torture in the Merange mining fields and South Africa's support of the Kimberley Process's incapacity to act against such alleged human rights violation tremendous pressure on the diamond industry.
The International Bar Association reports also denounced the alleged human rights violation. An independent monitoring group should be established to verify and compile reports about alleged torture camps and the militarisation of the Merange diamond fields.
Should allegations be found to be true, all trading in diamonds emanating from the Merange diamond fields should immediately be halted until all alleged human rights violations in the Merange diamond fields have stopped. I thank you.