Statement on the Ongoing Conflict In The Democratic Republic of the Congo 

We, the members of the Carleton University Human Rights Society (CUHRS), make this statement on the ongoing conflict and human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The suffering of the Congolese people, especially women and children, is deeply concerning, and is rooted in a legacy of colonial exploitation, compounded by the actions of the current government under Felix Tshisekedi, the Rwandan government under Paul Kagame, multinational corporations, and the failure of the international community to take concrete action.

The DRC holds one of the world’s largest deposits of cobalt, a mineral essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and other technologies. The rarity of this material along with the value of mining it has led many companies, such as Tesla and Apple, to invest in this exploitive industry. Despite its worth, cobalt is often mined under horrific conditions. Workers, including children, are exploited, subjected to dangerous environments, and paid meager wages. Many mining operations are militarized, creating conditions that resemble modern-day slavery.

CUHRS also strongly condemn the exploitation of children in mining. Nearly a quarter of all workers in the DRC mines are below the age of 14. Some children have been found to be as young as six. This is a widespread issue. We recognize that this is child slavery and represents a grave violation of children's rights.

We also decry the widespread violence committed against women and children in the DRC. Both Congolese soldiers and Rwandan insurgents have been implicated in mass rape and sexual assault of women and children. This brutal violence against women is a grievous human rights violation, and we hold not only the leaders of these nations accountable, but also the global community, whose inaction  continues to perpetuate this suffering. We call for a thorough international investigation into these atrocities and urgent protection for women and children in the DRC. 

In addition to the human toll, the environmental damage caused by cobalt mining is devastating. The extraction process is highly invasive, leading to habitat destruction, pollution, and further environmental degradation in a country already ravaged by the long-lasting effects of colonialism.

CUHRS calls on the Carleton University administration to take several actions regarding this issue. We firstly call for the university to divest from any company sourcing cobalt from mines in the DRC that do not adhere to internationally recognized human rights standards. We demand the end of partnerships with corporations that are unable to provide proof of ethical cobalt sourcing. Finally, we call on the University to seek alternatives to technologies reliant on lithium-ion batteries in favour of more environmentally and socially responsible options.

“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

(Article four of the Universal Declaration of Human Right)

Resources

On Cobalt

• Cobalt powers our lives. What is it—and why is it so controversial? (nationalgeographic.com)

The Congo and mining 

• Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo | Global Conflict Tracker (cfr.org) 

• Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | OHCHR

• DR Congo: Killings, Rapes by Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)

• Major tech companies accused of child labour in Congolese cobalt mines (gicj.org)

The Congo and violence against women

• DR Congo: Killings, Rapes by Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)

• Organize all your work with monday.com and create the perfect workflow for your team (youtube.com)

Support Resources

• The Mental Health and Wellness Hub

• Counseling Services

• International Student Services Office

• CU Sexual Assault Support Services 

• RISE, Racialized and International Student Experience