Zimbabwe must not resume diamond exports from its troubled Marange diamond fields without prior permission from the Kimberley Process certification scheme, warned Global Witness following a ruling by the Zimbabwean High Court apparently approving the sale of 129,000 carats of diamonds.

"What has been taking place in Marange is unconscionable and there is no way that exports should restart until the government can prove that it has taken the necessary action to end the abuses and hold the perpetrators to account," said Global Witness campaigner Elly Harrowell.

"If the government goes ahead with its plan to sell diamonds without prior approval from the Kimberley Process, it will be in breach of its commitments and should face suspension. Member states will need to act swiftly if they want to maintain the credibility of the scheme and protect consumer confidence in the international diamond market," said Harrowell.

Following the High Court decision, the Minister of Mines, Obert Mpofu, told state media: "We are going to benefit from our diamonds whether with the KP or not."

"If Minister Mpofu really wants the Zimbabwean people to benefit from the wealth beneath their feet, he should start by withdrawing the army from the area, which is responsible for serious human rights abuses and is still profiting from the illegal trade in smuggled Marange diamonds," said Harrowell. "Until this happens diamonds from Marange will continue to be tainted by violence and corruption".