Conflict Mineral Trade calls for a rethinking on global leadership

Congo’s conflict minerals leave a trail of destruction as they make their way from the mines in eastern Congo to the mobile phone in your pocket. How does the process work? What is the human cost? What can consumers do to help end the violence being fueled by Congo’s illicit mineral trade? Enough’s John Prendergast breaks it all down.

The European Union, or E.U., is finally starting to address the link between human rights violations and the conflict mineral trade in the Congo.  While a handful of policymakers within the E.U. have voiced concern over the issue in the past year, meaningful action has yet to take place following on the efforts of the U.S. government and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD. However, in late May, the Netherlands-based Center for Research on Multinational Corporations, or SOMO, and Judith Sargentini, member of the European Parliament (Netherlands) for the Greens/European Free Alliance, held a series of events focusing on the creation of E.U. legislation on conflict minerals from the Congo.

article by Aaron Hall

Visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org to find out how you can help end the world’s deadliest war in the Congo.

The comprehensive documentary “Blood in the mobile” by director Frank Poulsen captures Nokia’ relation and standpoint. http://bloodinthemobile.org/

Video directed and produced by Robert Padavick. Editing and animation by Jeff Trussell.
Copyright 2009 Center for American Progress.