HRW's submission for the UPR of Zimbabwe highlights the government's closure of political space to avoid public scrutiny and competition from political opposition.

The failure of Zimbabwe’s government to investigate and prosecute killings, torture, and politically motivated violence since the 2008 elections is fueling further human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Authorities controlled by the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the dominant party in Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government, should drop politically motivated charges and release activists arrested for viewing a video on events in Egypt and Tunisia. The 46 people were arrested on February 19, 2011.

India’s new role as a global leader at the United Nations Security Council faces a critical test this week on the issue of “blood diamonds”. The term refers to diamonds mined under conditions of gross human rights abuse, and was popularised by the American movie, Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a mercenary turned do-gooder in the blood-soaked diamond fields of Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme should not allow further exports from the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe until the government makes clear progress in ending abuses and smuggling. Participants in the scheme, an international body that oversees the diamond trade, are scheduled to meet in Jerusalem from November 1 to 4, 2010.

Increasing violence in Zimbabwe during community meetings leading up to a constitutional referendum and new arrests of civil society activists highlight the lack of progress in ending human rights abuses and implementing urgently needed human rights reforms.

The Marange diamond field in Zimbabwe is soaked with the blood of civilians and children. Will they make their way to stores in the West? Israel is heading the international forum that will make this decision.

The government of Zimbabwe has broken its promises under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme work plan to improve abusive practices in its diamond fields and should formally be suspended from the Kimberley Process.