Are Our Cell Phones Made of Conflict Metals?

Human rights campaigners are demanding that technology companies be honest with customers regarding the origin of metals in their products, reports The Ecologist. According to Global Witness, militia groups in the Republic of Congo control most of the mineral trade. The trade includes tin and gold, which is ultimately manufactured in mobile phones. “Consumers have the right to know that the products they are buying are not fuelling crimes against humanity,” said Daniel Balint-Kurti, a Global Witness campaigner.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution in December that enabled asset freezes and travel bans to be imposed on companies that back armed groups in the eastern Congo. Global Witness wants these sanctions to be applied to international electronics companies too, if they do not ethically improve their supply chain.

Greenpeace is also supporting that push. “There is nothing to stop companies from sourcing tantulum from other places or from recycling, added Iza Kruszewska of Greenpeace International. “Sony and Nokia are showing an increasing willingness to dig down into their supply chain and other companies should follow.”

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