The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing them of using conflict minerals.
On behalf of the Congolese government, the lawyers argued that Apple was complicit in crimes committed by armed groups that controlled several mines in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the 2023 review of this issueApple said it monitors its supply chain and works to minimize risk and improve mineral traceability measures.
Authorities in France and Belgium will now consider whether there is enough evidence to take further legal action.
In a statementDRC lawyers talk about Apple’s supply chain being contaminated with “blood minerals”.
They allege that tin, tantalum and tungsten are sourced from conflict zones and then “laundered through international supply chains”.
“These activities have fueled a cycle of violence and conflict by funding militia and terrorist groups, and contributing to forced child labor and environmental destruction.”
Apple has not yet responded to the BBC’s request for comment, but in a report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission detailing its actions on the issue in 2023, the company highlights its measures. which they have done to ensure that they do not use conflict minerals.
“While Apple does not directly purchase, procure or supply primary minerals, we are committed to meeting and exceeding internationally accepted due diligence standards for primary minerals and recycled materials in our supply chain,” Apple said.
Therefore, all participants in the supply chain are required to participate in an “independent third-party conflict minerals audit.” Apple said that in 2023 it eliminated 14 “smelters and refineries” that did not participate or meet responsible sourcing requirements.
Eastern DRC is a major source of minerals, and the global thirst for minerals has caused war there for decades.
Human rights groups have long alleged that large amounts of minerals from legal mines, as well as from facilities run by armed groups, are shipped to neighboring Rwanda and end up in electricity. our phones and computers.
Rwanda has previously described the Congolese government’s legal action against Apple as a media stunt.
It has denied selling any conflict minerals to the technology company.
