The plunder by M23 and Rwanda of DRC’s gold and coltan may amount to war crime of pillage
M23’s multiple violations that also involve Rwandans may amount to war crimes
“Rwanda has continued to illegally profit from DRC’s mineral wealth,” Agnès Callamard
Minerals linked to abuses by M23 are prevalent in electronic devices owned by millions across the world
Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) fighters have committed horrific human rights abuses against artisanal miners in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while facilitating the trafficking of gold and coltan to neighbouring Rwanda with the help of Rwandan authorities, Amnesty International said in a
new
briefing.
“
DRC: We didn’t come to play: M23 abuses at artisanal mines
and the trafficking of gold and coltan to Rwanda”,
documents M23 violations including summary killings, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, forced labour and forced recruitment. It shows how M23 fighters forced miners to dig minerals, often making them work underground for more than a week at a time in coltan mines near Rubaya in North Kivu province, and Lomera, a gold mining site in South Kivu province. The violations may amount to war crimes, which are crimes under international law.
“Rwanda-backed M23 is committing horrific human rights abuses, which may amount to war crimes, against artisanal miners in eastern DRC. These are meant to punish and instill fear among miners and others living and working near the mines, as minerals are trafficked across the border into Rwanda, which has continued to profit from the exploitation of DRC’s mineral wealth,” said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.
Rwanda-backed M23 is committing horrific human rights abuses, which may amount to war crimes, against artisanal miners in eastern DRC. These are meant to punish and instil fear among miners and others living and working near the mines, as minerals are trafficked across the border into Rwanda
… [more]
