The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) filed criminal charges on Tuesday against subsidiaries of consumer electronics giant Apple in France and Belgium, accusing them of using “blood minerals” extracted from mines controlled by armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Republic. .
complaint Paid Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium use tin, tantalum, and tungsten extracted from mines in conflict zones and “cleaned through international supply chains.” These metals, known as “3T minerals”, are widely used in the manufacture of computers and smartphones.
“These activities fuel cycles of violence and conflict by funding militias and terrorist groups, contributing to forced child labor and environmental destruction,” the DRC lawyer said.
“The apple is red, not green. It's a trillion-dollar company and we have to assume it knows what the consequences of its actions will be. Denying accountability. , we've had enough of hiding behind the false narrative of supply chain defense!'' said attorney Robert Amsterdam.
William Bourdon, another member of the Democratic Republic of Congo's international legal team, said the charges filed in France and Belgium “condemn the largest companies in the technology industry for their policies of endlessly enriching themselves at the expense of the most serious crimes.” “This is the first step toward holding one company accountable.” It is poisoning Africa's supply chain. ”
Lawyers from the DRC inform European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of their submission and begin a dialogue on “Working towards accountability and ending armed violence in mineral supply chains in sub-Saharan Africa” requested that it be done.
lawyer said They provided Apple CEO Tim Cook with evidence that conflict minerals may be included in Apple's supply chain in April 2024.
In 2019, Apple instructed The company's suppliers asked it to stop doing business with five smelters and refineries that either refused to participate in the audit or “failed to meet Apple's requirements for responsible mineral sourcing.” The company announced that 253 other companies involved in its supply chain had passed the required audits.
apple submitted document In 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the company's smelters and refineries do not do business with armed groups in the DRC or surrounding conflict areas. Apple claims that it does not source any of its minerals directly and that it rigorously audits third-party suppliers.
Apple spokesperson said The BBC reported on Tuesday that the company earlier this year asked its suppliers to “suspend sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda” due to escalating conflict in the region.
“We took this action out of concern that independent auditors and industry certification bodies would be unable to perform the due diligence necessary to meet our high standards,” an Apple representative said in a statement.
The DRC lawsuit alleges that Apple is purchasing stolen minerals from Congo. barbaric armament group They raped and massacred countless civilians. The minerals are then “laundered” through a complex supply chain to allow for Apple's disavowal, but the lawsuit alleges that Apple's French and Belgian subsidiaries “have proven that their mineral supply chain relies on systematic fraud.” “I am well aware that there is,” he claims.
The lawyers added that Belgium had a particularly heavy responsibility to take action against this “plunder” of DRC resources, as it was a suzerain state of the Congo in the 19th century.
The DRC has been working for many years with the support of UN experts. claimed Gold and 3T minerals looted from mines by more than 100 rebel groups are being smuggled across the border into Rwanda, where Rwanda is complicit in laundering the minerals for purchase by international electronics companies. . Rwanda denies these allegations.
In eastern Congo, the long-term problem “Artisanal mining” refers to small-scale, unlicensed mining operations that often engage in abusive labor practices. Artisanal mining is dangerous, workers typically use very primitive equipment, and child labor is rampant.
These small mines are also very easy for armed groups. exploitas illegal miners eagerly sell their products to smugglers. Rebels sometimes use extremely brutal methods to take complete control of artisanal mines.
