Congo bishops welcome new US law on ‘conflict minerals’

August 04, 2010

Two years after the bishops of the Democratic Republic of the Congo urged the international community to take action to address the “silent genocide” taking place in their midst, the president of the nation’s episcopal conference welcomed a new US law on “conflict minerals.” The measure requires companies to disclose whether the minerals used in cell phones and other products can be traced to mines in conflict-ravaged areas.

The conflict over the mineral resources of the eastern portion of the nation has been a major factor in the fighting that has claimed the lives of 5.4 million there.

 

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Further information:

• Congo Catholic Bishops Praise U.S. Law on 'Conflict Minerals' (Congo News Agency)
• New American law on “conflict minerals” addressed by President of the Congolese Bishops' Conference (Fides)
• Is your cell phone fueling violence in the Congo? (PRI)
• Congo bishops warn of genocide (CWN, 11/17/08)