Zimbabwe authorities surprised many last week when they ordered an   auction of of 300,000 carats of diamonds mined form the controversial Marange diamond field be suspended over suspected rights abuses by the military.

Many of Zimbabwe's diamond fields are still controlled by the military, where soldiers force the local residents to mine the precious gems. 
Global Witness, a UK-based human rights group that monitors  the exploitation of natural resources, welcomed the decision saying the sale would have constituted a violation of international guidelines forbidding trade in conflict diamonds, also known as “blood diamonds.”

According to Global Witness, previous statements by Zimbabwe's Mines Minister Obert Mpofu alleging the military was simply there to maintain order, were “not credible, ” as according to the group's information “It's very likely that (the military) is still forcing local people into mining syndicates."  

The eastern Marange diamond fields span some 166.08 acres. Diamond deposits were first discovered there in 2006. Global Witness is pushing for a trade ban on Zimbabwe over the human rights abuse they claim is perpetrated in Marange.

A Kimberley Process investigation found an "unacceptable and horrific violence against civilians by authorities", which according to various publications included forced labor, torture and abuse by soldiers against villagers. The Kimberly Process has given Zimbabwe six months to comply with its regulations before taking additional steps.

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