By sourcing from the DRC’s war zones, the technology giant would be complicit in the crimes perpetrated by armed groups who control certain mines in the east of the country.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed several criminal complaints in France and Belgium against Apple subsidiaries, accusing the tech giant of using minerals taken from conflict zones in the African country and then laundered through the chains of global supply
THE”3T”minerals extracted in war zones
Lawyers representing the Congolese government say Apple uses minerals looted from the DRC – tin, tantalum and tungsten, say them”3T” used in computers and telephones. These minerals coming from war zones, the Apple would be complicit in the crimes by the armed groups which control some of the mines in the east of the country. According to DRC lawyers, Apple’s supply chain is tainted by “blood minerals”.
The complaints were prepared by a team of international lawyers on behalf of the DRC’s justice minister, and French and Belgian authorities will examine whether there is sufficient evidence to continue the investigation and possibly bring criminal charges.
“These activities fueled a cycle of violence and conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups and contributed to forced child labor and environmental devastation”we can read in the joint statement from three law firms from the United States, France and Belgium.
Money laundering in global supply chains
The DRC government and UN experts have previously said that some of the minerals “3T” Extracts were smuggled to neighboring Rwanda before entering the global electronic components supply chain. Rwanda has repeatedly rejected these allegations.
The lawyers also accused Apple of using deceptive marketing practices to assure consumers that its supply chains are clean, although they did not provide further details.
Robert Amsterdam, an American lawyer involved in the case, said the criminal complaints were the first filed by the DRC against a major technology company, calling them “first salvo of legal actions”.
Apple denies any responsibility
After the complaints were filed Tuesday, Apple said it “strongly contested” the allegations.
“As conflict in the region intensified earlier this year, we informed our suppliers that their smelters and refiners had to suspend their supply of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from the DRC and Rwanda”Apple said in a statement, referring to the fighting in eastern DRC.
“We recognize that the situation in the region is very difficult and we have increased our support for organizations doing vital work to help communities”added the press release.
Eastern DRC, one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, is experiencing a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 100 armed rebel groups fighting for control of the mines. According to the United Nations and human rights groups, millions of people in the region have been uprooted and affected by the spiral of violence, which ranges from massacres to rape.
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