In a controversial move Zimbabwe on Thursday launched its first public auction of diamonds from the disputed Chiadzwa diamond fields. The auction, announced by Mbada Diamonds, a joint venture between the government-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and a South African company, Grandwell... The Zimbabwe police and army have been repeatedly accused of serious human rights abuses [at the Chiadzwa-Marange diamond fields] with a detailed report last year by Human Rights Watch stating that soldiers ordered civilians to dig for diamonds at gunpoint, used forced child labour and raped women... Last year the Kimberley Process...sent a team to investigate... Although the Kimberley team called for Zimbabwe’s suspension, the organisation decided instead to give the country a grace period... The Kimberly stance has been criticised by human rights organisations and most recently by Ingle & Rhode, a UK retailer of ethical jewellery... Nicky Oppenheimer, chairman of De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company, wrote that he would have preferred more “decisive action” on Zimbabwe by the Kimberley Process. The fields are also subject to a commercial dispute involving...African Consolidated Resources which was given the concession to prospect for and exploit diamonds in the area.