Zimbabwe's government must ensure the security and welfare of villagers living near the country's Marange diamond fields, activist Farai Maguwu told attendees at an event organized by the US Embassy.

According to Radio VoP Zimbabwe, some 50,000 families have been moved out to the Marange region to allow for diamond mining. While the families were allotted a $1,000 compensation fee and small farm plots, they are three kilometers away from schools and clinics.

Maguwu also said that the relocation of the families occurred in the middle of the farming season. "There was no proper planning and these do not meet the minimum United Nations standards on human security," Maguwu said.

Last week Maguwu expressed concern that the Kimberley Process was not taking "tough action" against Zimbabwe, which the activist says continues to violate international standards pertaining to the diamond trade.

Maguwu warned that a KP agreement on Zimbabwe's diamonds would be full of concessions to the government and accused the KP of bowing to "bullying."

"The fact that the KP continues to tolerate this bullying and still goes to lengths to accommodate Zimbabwe…. Is a danger to the credibility of the KP," Maguwu said.