Europe looks set to prioritize big business over people suffering under the deadly conflict minerals trade, Amnesty International and Global Witness warn on the eve of a landmark vote designed to tackle the European trade.
Members of Parliament (MEPs) will vote on inaugural legislation in Strasbourg on Wednesday, which for the first time could legally require European companies to ensure the minerals they buy are not contributing to conflict or human rights abuses in other countries.
But intense lobbying by big business risks watering down the law into a proposal that would do little to tackle a trade that funds conflict in parts of Africa and elsewhere. If the proposal is not amended, only about 20 raw mineral importers would be legally required to source their materials responsibly. European businesses that sell and make products containing those minerals would only be covered by a voluntary system.
“This is a historic opportunity to tackle the conflict minerals trade. But the proposal on the table effectively ignores some of the most important players in the industry,” said Lucy Graham of Amnesty International.
“If the European Parliament is serious about addressing the trade in conflict minerals, these big-brand names must be legally required to check their supply chains. Unfortunately it seems that the European Union has given more weight to the voice of powerful business than to the voices of the people who live with the fall-out from this trade on a daily basis.”
The trade in conflict minerals, which can end up in everyday products such as mobile phones and laptops, has funded violence and brutal armed groups across the world. In the Central African Republic, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the minerals trade has been partly responsible for fuelling deadly conflicts that have displaced 9.4 million people.
Businesses, largely from the automotive, aeronautic and electronics sector, are lobbying behind the scenes to make sure they will not have to investigate or report on the minerals in their products.
“No European business should be allowed to profit from a trade that lines the pockets of violent and abusive armed groups,” said Michael Gibb of campaigns group Global Witness.
“It is vital that MEPs stand up to big business tomorrow. They must vote for a binding law that encourages companies to continue sourcing from conflict-affected or high-risk regions, but in a way that is responsible. Trade should benefit the local population, not armed groups.”
Amnesty International and Global Witness are calling on MEPs to strengthen the proposal when they vote on Wednesday by requiring companies to check if their mineral purchases have funded violence and human rights abuses.
European consumers have sent more than 200,000 messages to MEPs calling on them to strengthen the law. Over 150 civil society organisations as well as Dr. Denis Mukwege, the EU’s 2014 Sakharov Prize winner for human rights, have echoed these calls, as have politicians, investors, business voices and religious leaders.