British mining company Petra Diamonds has agreed to pay $6m in compensation to dozens of Tanzanians who allegedly suffered serious human rights abuses at a mine famed for producing a flawless pink diamond for one of the Queen’s favourite brooches. The 71 Tanzanian claimants, represented in the London high court by the British law firm Leigh Day, alleged grave violations by the company, among them being shot, beaten, stabbed, assaulted, detained in cramped and filthy holding cells, and handcuffed to hospital beds. The abuses were allegedly carried out by security personnel contracted by Petra’s local subsidiary, Williamson Diamonds Ltd, which has a majority share of the mine, and by Tanzanian police who worked at and around the mine. Ten of the claims were brought by family members of illegal diggers allegedly killed at the mine in Shinyanga, one of Tanzania’s poorest regions. An additional 25 claims are being investigated as part of the settlement, which could increase the total payout.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
More Stories
Wellness Destinations in Africa to Get away from it All
Africa’s Missing Middle in Tech Funding
Eto’o Joins the Presidential Race
Sign Language Across Africa
Algeria Lays Bouteflika to Rest
The Women trying to Revolutionise Agriculture in West Africa
A Wide Range of African Organisations have Come together to Demand Change
Nairobi Sees Rising Poaching Incidents
Benin, where Innovation and Recycling Meet
African Leaders Sound Alarm at the UN General Assembly
Nationalising Rabat’s State Entities
When One Trial Ends Another Opens for South Africa’s Former President