Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi: Iran is committed to diplomacy and expects the lifting of unjust and unilateral sanctions that directly target its people
Araghchi: We want a fair and balanced agreement reached within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with full respect for Iran's nuclear rights
Araghchi: Iran has always sought to alleviate legitimate international concerns about its nuclear program through transparency
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the principle of not producing or deploying weapons of mass destruction
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never sought to possess nuclear weapons based on its principles
Araghchi: Iran has always emphasized that it does not seek nuclear weapons, and we call for a fair and just agreement that guarantees our national interests and lifts sanctions
Araghchi: We call for a referendum in Palestine so that the Palestinians can decide their fate
Araghchi: The Zionist entity is a threat to the countries of the region, and a real solution must be reached
Araghchi: Iran wishes nothing but good, progress, and development for its neighboring countries, and we must expand economic and structural projects with them
Araghchi: We must undertake a more effective path, and today, President Pezeshkian highlighted the need to respect emerging countries and mutual respect among countries

DR Congo slaps Apple with lawsuit over 'blood minerals' scandal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 19 Dec 2024 13:36
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The DRC says Apple has used minerals illicitly obtained from areas in eastern Congo, some allegedly purchased from neighboring Rwanda, which both Apple and the Rwandan government deny.

Listen
  • x
  • A congolese miner sifts through ground tocks to separate the cassiterite  in eastern Congo, August 16,2012. (AP)
    A Congolese miner sifts through ground tocks to separate the cassiterite in eastern Congo, August 16, 2012. (AP)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed lawsuits in Paris and Brussels against Apple’s European subsidiaries, accusing the company of sourcing "blood minerals" illegally mined in its conflict-ridden regions.

The DRC accused Apple of using minerals illicitly obtained from areas in eastern Congo, some allegedly purchased from neighboring Rwanda, which both Apple and the Rwandan government deny.

The DRC, one of Africa's most resource-rich yet conflict-plagued nations, is a key source of minerals and metals essential for high-tech products. Violence has gripped the country's eastern regions since the 1990s, with tensions escalating in recent years due to renewed offensives by the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgent group in North Kivu province. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of using M23 as a proxy to gain control of mineral-rich territories, a charge Rwanda strongly denies.

Apple, in response, claimed there is “no reasonable basis for concluding” that its products include minerals illegally exported from conflict zones. The company alleges to rigorously verify the origin of all its materials.

Related News

At least 143 dead in DR Congo boat fire on Congo River

M23 fighters remain in Walikale despite pledge to withdraw

Dive deeper

However, lawyers representing the DRC argue that Apple’s French and Belgian subsidiaries engaged in "deceptive commercial practices" to mislead consumers about the ethical sourcing of their materials.

William Bourdon, a Paris-based lawyer, described the lawsuits as "a first step towards making one of the biggest players in tech accountable for its policy of endless enrichment at the cost of the most serious of crimes staining African supply chains."

Brussels lawyer Christophe Marchand highlighted the significance of the cases, saying, “These complaints filed against Apple are a matter of great public interest at a time when European countries, consumers, and non-governmental organizations are increasing their scrutiny of international supply chains.”

Robert Amsterdam, the DRC’s Washington-based lawyer, called the lawsuits a “first salvo” in a broader legal campaign. He said as quoted by AFP, “Colour Apple red, and not green. It is a trillion-dollar company that must be assumed to know the consequences of its actions. Enough with denials of accountability.”

The legal team further stressed that the illegal procurement of minerals from eastern Congo has caused "unfathomable harm and suffering" to civilians. They accused Apple of indirectly fueling the conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups, thereby exacerbating violence, forced child labor, and environmental destruction. These reports are supported by investigations from the United Nations, the US State Department, and international NGOs.

  • DR Congo
  • Apple
  • Rwanda
  • 'blood minerals'

Most Read

Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Palestinians pray over bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital before burying them in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP )

Gaza casualty figures mask a much bigger horror, new study shows

  • Politics
  • 11 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)
Technology

Microsoft admits supplying AI to 'Israel' amid Gaza carnage

Israeli occupation’s tanks parked in a staging area near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' launches multi-axis assault in Gaza under 'Gideon’s Chariots'

People stand at the train ticket counter of NJ Transit at Penn Station, amid a strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers, in New York, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Economy

Commuters stranded amid first New Jersey railway strike in 40 years

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts
US & Canada

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS