afrol News, 29 August - British government has criticised a mineral company, Afrimex for failing to ensure that its trading activities were not contributing to conflict and human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Afrimex which was sourcing minerals from an area of eastern DRC occupied by rebel troops until 2003 is accused of allowing rebel soldiers to extract money from the firm's supply chain, helping them fund their militia campaign against government.

"Through its lack of diligence, the firm failed to contribute towards ending the use of child labour and forced labour," British investigations revealed.

Trade minister Gareth Thomas said Britain is determined to promote highest ethical standards, emphasising that companies trading in conflict areas should take all possible steps to end all processes that condone conflict.

"By operating ethically, British firms investing in developing countries will contribute to peace and prosperity - not to war and human rights abuses," he said.

A complaint against Afrimex's activities between 1998 and 2007 was made last year by campaign organisation Global Witness, triggering an investigation by UK National Contact Point (NCP).

NCP's final statement on the complaint against Afrimex recommended that UK companies should use their influence over trading partners in DRC to ensure due diligence is applied to the supply chain.

It also recommended that Afrimex should create a corporate responsibility document based on an assessment of its supply chain's impact on human rights, saying it should be integrated into the company's operations.

UK based Global Witness brought the complaint against Afrimex in February 2007 alleging breaches of rules dating back to 1998. The NCP investigation covered the period since June 2000, when current guidelines came into effect.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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