Catholic networks urge European action on conflict minerals

Bishop Fridolin Ambongo

An international consortium of Catholic aid agencies have charged that European businesses are causing suffering and death by importing minerals from regions of the world experiencing armed conflict. In addition, 125 Church Leaders have asked the European Union to put tougher legislation in place to end conflict minerals. Two bishops from the Democratic Republic of Congo who are signatories are Bishop Fridolin Ambongo of Bokungu-Ikela and Bishop Fulgence Muteba of Kilwa-Kasenga. They know first-hand the consequences of conflict minerals on local communities.

The Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo is rich in minerals, but, alongside the wealth of natural resources both under and above ground, the majority of people are living in misery. Children struggle to have enough food to eat and often cannot go to school, deprived of the most basic needs. Young people live without prospects of employment and lack sufficient means of livelihood. Violence is a constant threat: some mining sites are under the control of militias, and their exploitation generates revenues that fuel conflict instead of improving the livelihood of the people.

"Since I know the misery our people are living in, and how the anarchic, non-coordinated and even illegal exploitation of natural resources contributed to the impoverishment of our people, we didn't hesitate to sign," said Bishop Ambongo, who is President of the Episcopal Commission on Natural Resources. He added that, "Our hope is that there will be a clear law regulating the exploitation of natural resources and that this will oblige big companies to follow the rules and to be transparent".

The Brussels-based International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity, or CIDSE, has demanded firmer action by businesses to ensure that minerals used in consumer products such as mobile phones and laptop computers are responsibly sourced.

"The exploitation and trade of natural resources finances armed groups responsible for serious abuses of local populations; we can all take action to end this violence," says CIDSE. "In sourcing resources from conflict-affected or high-risk areas, European businesses risk fueling violence to the detriment of human rights, peace and development", according to CIDSE; "In this way, blood minerals find their way into our computers, telephones and cars".

The statement was released ahead of 18-19 March discussions in the European Parliament of a draft law, developed by the European Union's governing commission, to control minerals from conflict-torn regions. It recalled the words of Pope Francis to the European Parliament last November: "Today, the promotion of human rights is central to the commitment of the European Union to advance the dignity of the person, both within the Union and in its relations with other countries. ... The time has come to work together in building a Europe which revolves not around the economy, but around the sacredness of the human person, around inalienable values."