Apple Accused of Multiple Human Rights Violations
Tech giant's products are "tainted by the blood of the Congolese people," according to statement from lawyers
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Apple of utilizing illegally exploited minerals sourced in the eastern regions, a process marked by violence, child labor, and other human rights violations.
This claim contradicts Apple's Conflict Minerals Report, which claims no link between its smelters and refiner partners and the armed groups operating in the DRC, as of December 31, 2023.
According to Apple's Conflict Minerals Report, the company conducts continuous due diligence and has eliminated 14 smelters and refiners from its supply chain due to its unwillingness to undergo appropriate audits.
“We found no reasonable basis for concluding that any of the smelters or refiners of 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) determined to be in our supply chain as of Dec 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country,” the report said.
The Paris-based lawyers for the DRC, however, believe otherwise and claim Apple's products are “tainted by the blood of the Congolese people.”
They argue that Apple's assertions regarding mineral sourcing lack concrete, verifiable evidence. For instance, despite minimal mineral production in Rwanda, tech giants claim their minerals originate from the country.
The minerals in question are 3T minerals (tin, tungsten, and gold), which are crucial for electronic components. Tin, for example, serves as solder for iPhone circuit boards. The trade of conflict minerals is a primary source of funding for militia and terrorist groups in the DRC.
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