DR Congo Sues Apple Over Use of Minerals from Conflict Zones

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed criminal complaints against Apple in France and Belgium. The government accused the tech giant of using minerals from conflict zones in its supply chain. These minerals were sourced from areas controlled by armed groups involved in human rights abuses.

The case centres on tin, tantalum, and tungsten, materials essential in electronic devices. Congo is a key global supplier of these minerals. However, many mines in the region are run by armed groups accused of violence, including mass killings and sexual crimes.

Apple denied the allegations via a statement to Reuters. The company claimed that it instructed its suppliers earlier this year to stop sourcing minerals from Congo and Rwanda due to the ongoing conflict. It also claimed that most of the minerals in its products are recycled.

The complaints allege that Apple and its subsidiaries in France and Belgium are complicit in war crimes. They are also accused of laundering conflict-linked minerals and misleading consumers about the integrity of their supply chains. Lawyers for the DRC argue that Apple uses flawed certification schemes, such as ITSCI, to falsely portray its supply chain as ethical.

France and Belgium were chosen for the complaints due to their focus on corporate accountability. Authorities in both countries will decide whether to investigate further.

This legal action comes amid continued violence in eastern Congo. Armed groups reportedly fund their activities through mineral exports, worsening a conflict that has killed millions and displaced many more. Congo’s legal team called this a first step in holding major tech companies accountable. They expect that it will help stop the exploitation of the country’s resources.

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